The world in which we live in is a contrast of “positives and
negatives” and the choice is ours to understand, to cope and to develop
solution strategies to combat dangers that may affect us. The rose is such example
with its thorns. Anne Bronte stated, “But he who dares not grasp the thorn...should
never crave the rose!” And Alphonse Karr with a positive attitude
wrote, “Some people grumble that roses
have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses!”
For every “upside” ~
there's likely to be a “downside”
so there's good
reason to heed the possible negative outcomes!
Consider the following: Wars and Victories...Win and Lose Sporting
events...Weather both Good and Inclement...Rich loam soil and Quicksand...Calm
Waters and Turbulent Rapids...Shoals, Rocks and Lighthouses. Along our fairway of life, Mother Nature
contributes much to our daily living...offering wind, rain and rainbows;
thunder and lightning; blue skies and billowy clouds; glorious sunrises and sunsets; magnificent seasonal colours and temperatures
escalating from frigid cold to blazing heat. And yet, scenic landscapes inspire photographers & artists. Each day...an
unopened gift from Mother Nature.
“Not Everything in
Life...is a Bed of Roses.”
The Bolsa Chica Wetlands (an ecological reserve in
the City of Huntington Beach, California)
Along the Pacific Coast Highway,
it is a haven for runners, hikers and nature lovers. It's also home to some of North
America's most endangered species.. Helen Clark, 60 of Westminster is a frequent birder who once was
caught off-guard at Bolsa Chica by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake. Carol Taylor,
a Cal State Long Beach zoology and herpetology student identified 4
snakes, spiders and scorpions common to the area. The “diamond-back-rattlesnake
sports fangs around 2 ½ inches long; its venom can cause cell damage and
hemorrhaging.
Florida's Everglades National
Park: Some swamps, marshes and bogs are more dangerous than others...bear
in mind depth, animals in the swamps, plant life that can tangle or trip you
and reptiles that can attack. Giant
alligators grow up to 8 feet in length; swarms of mosquitoes, spiders and
snakes are ready for a meal. There are 4 species of venomous snakes, if
disturbed, awaiting you. Vultures can damage your vehicles...windshields,
wipers and sunroof...so best to cover your 'wheels’ with a tarp.
I detest snakes, dislike
crocodiles and alligators, so this true story really “gives me the
creeps!” Linda, a local bridge friend
and her husband spend several weeks in Florida each winter in a townhouse
complex that backs on a waterway. Her neighbour one day was tending to her garden with back to the brownish water. Suddenly, her arm was grabbed with teeth sunk
deeply into it and the creature was
dragging her toward the waterway. She
screamed which drew attention to her
neighbours. Frantically, they were able
to free her from the alligator at water's edge. Unfortunately, her arm had to
be severed just below the elbow. No one
in their neighbourhood had ever seen alligators in this waterway!
Diseases ~ the Ebola Problem: No
one knows exactly where the virus comes from or how to stop it from seeding new
outbreaks. “First and foremost is to get
the outbreak under control, then go back and find where the source is,”
said a scientist who helped find the bat
source of another Ebola-like disease called Marburg. Jonathan Towner
works for the U.S. Center for Disease
and Prevention. Plaque was halted after the germ was tied to rat-riding-fleas.
With the respiratory disease, Sars, civet cats played a role. With Typhus, it was lice and with Bird
Flu live poultry markets. Efforts to
control Mers, a virus causing sporadic outbreaks in the Middle East,
include exploring the role of camels.
Dangers that Lurk in Your
Cosmetic Bag: When 2 journalists discovered that formaldehyde was
the miracle agent behind their sleek hair-dos, they decided to dig a little
further into their beauty products' ingredient lists. What they found was most terrifying! That lipstick? That mascara?
All full of toxic chemicals, as it turns out. The products that we buy
and trust they have been vetted and approved by some kind of health
organization and that's NOT the case.
(The U.S. Food and Drug Administration of Cosmetics and Colours really
oversees the industry in name only.) Some ingredients are also contaminates
that enter during the process of
manufacturing. Consider the “soap lady”
at the Farmers' Market, she wouldn't exist if strict laws were regulated.
Dangers that Lurk in Health
Supplements: In a world where health consciousness is increasingly more
popular each day, major corporations have entered the health supplements marketplace under new health brands in an
attempt to soak up some of the profits.
In doing this, these corporations tend to cut costs by using dangerous fillers
and additives that pose a serious risk to your health. These 4 common fillers
are your worst nightmare and mega corporations' dreams come true! Avoid the following: Nanoparticle Titanium Dioxide (may
result in DNA and organ damage); Hidden Hydrogenated Oils (found in
Health Food Stores, Pharmacies and Grocery stores); Artificial Colours
(used to make vitamins and foods more appealing especially to children); Synthetic
Vitamins which actually disrupt the entire endocrine system.
Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your
Tea: Tea is a miraculous thing, bursting with antioxidants and
health benefits galore. Drink it iced
in the throes of summer or steaming hot to stave off that winter
flu. Guidelines when purchasing tea: Always
choose an organic, non-GMO tea.
Celestial Seasonings is loaded with pesticides; even loose-leaf high-end
brands have tested positive for dangers. Don't buy tea that lists
“natural flavours” as an ingredient
“Natural Flavours” is a sneaky way to hide ingredients from the
consumer, thus making the product appear more natural and pure. Make sure
your favourite brand uses safe packing material or stick to loose leaf. You know those luxury silk sachets...the ones
that display your tea so beautifully?
Well, these are not made out of silk...they are made out of plastic!
Hidden Dangers of Water: Drinking too much water too
quickly can kill. There is such as thing
as a fatal water overdose! More than 1/3 of all waterways are reported to
be unsuitable for fishing or swimming due to pollution. Rip currents
(undertows) can be killing...accounting for more than 80% rescues performed
by surf beach life-guards. Storms at sea and on the Great Lakes can
result in ships and freighters sinking with lost lives. Extreme flooding
can result in excessive damage to properties in both urban and rural areas.
In a Mutts cartoon…
he and Mooch,
watching from the prow of a boat in
ocean water, observe a crab enjoying his swim… stunned to be facing a huge whale
who opens his wide-gaped mouth saying,
“Ha! Ha!”, then devours him. Whale leaps high out of the water joyfully in
front of Mutts and Mooch. Mutts says,
“WOW! Why do whales do that?” Mooch
replies, “It’s a mystery of life.”
Hidden Dangers Lurking in
Plants (with crafty ways to fend off hungry animals). From the Philippines
to America there are 10 dangerous plants, most with colourful blossoms. These plants can can cause pain, sickness or near-death symptoms. Even the parts of the oleander are
potentially murderous. Locally here, we
are familiar with the Venus Flytrap which can clamp tightly shut in ½
second. Poison Ivy grown in partial shade contains a resinous sap
causing severe rash and itching.
The Food Chain: Green plants are considered producers
and are the beginning of the “Food Chain.”
Next are the consumers. These living things need the producers
to be their food.
Animals who eat plants are called herbivores.
Animals who eat other animals are
called carnivores who need the herbivores for their food.
Animals and People who eat both animals
and plants are called amnivores.
Last part of the ecosystem is the
decomposers. They are the living
things which feed off the dead plants and animals, reducing their remains to
minerals and gases again. Did you know that Cowbirds help the majestic bison
living in Yellowstone Park get rid of insects…while they get a meal?
Natural Disasters:
Climate change is expected to result in more frequent and severe
hazards...as we have been experiencing in various parts of our planet Earth
over the past decade and more:
Tornadoes...Hurricanes...Cyclones...Typhoons...Tsunamis...Monsoons...Volcanic
Eruptions!
Be sure to read Part 2 of Dangers That Lurk in Our Neighbourhood.
Merle
Baird-Kerr...written August 18, 2014
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