Tuesday, August 30, 2011
GOT ANTS??? GET BAY LAUREL!
Back in July 2009, I posted a blog on alternatives to insecticides. In that blog, I mentioned the bay laurel leaf and its wonderful properties for helping stem insect infestations. Here is a bit more on the subject.
The internet tells us that in the Middle Ages, bay leaves were believed to induce abortions and to have many magical qualities. They were once used to keep moths away, owing to the leaf's lauric acid content that gives it insecticidal properties. Bay leaves have many properties that make them useful for treating high blood sugar, migraine headaches, bacterial and fungal infections, and gastric ulcers. Bay leaves and berries have been used for their astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emetic and stomachic properties. Bay oil, or oil of bays (oleum lauri) is used in liniments for bruises and sprains. Bay leaf has been used as an herbal remedy for headaches. It contains compounds, called parthenolides, which have proven useful in the treatment of migraines. Bay leaf has also been shown to help the body process insulin more efficiently, which leads to lower blood sugar levels. It has also been used to reduce the effects of stomach ulcers. Bay leaf contains eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Bay leaf is also an antifungal and antibacterial, and has also been used to treat rheumatism, amenorrhea, and colic. (Wow! Who would have thought all that from a little bay leaf!?!)
The Greeks and Romans both ascribed a number of properties to the laurel tree. People were given laurel wreaths to commemorate feats, hence the term “resting on one's laurels,” and the leaves were also widely used in food flavoring and traditional medicine. Many Mediterranean dishes even today are made with laurel leaf seasoning. (Personally, I have recipes that call for bay laurel leaves, and without them the dish would definitely lack flavor. The one recipe that comes to mind immediately is minestrone soup.)
Somewhat to my surprise, I found that the world wide web is amass with information about the laurel leaf, or perhaps more familiar to you – the bay leaf. (It’s an interesting and worthwhile Google search!)
When my Mom was alive, I recall how we teased her about all the bay leaves she would have in her cupboards, drawers, on the counter, in the flour and sugar jars, and even under sinks. The garage was a bay leaf haven, too. I don’t know how it all came about, but she used these bay leaves in lieu of insecticides in the kitchen area. She hated bugs and would go to any extreme to avoid any creepy crawly. I need to tell you that, even living in Florida, she had no bugs in her abode!
I remembered this idea and my previous blog a few months ago as I have been fighting a long and drawn out battle with “shadow ants” in my kitchen. I don't know if that is the correct terminology, but these are those little tiny ants that are so small, you can barely see them. I tried absolutely everything from vinegar to insecticide sprays, to special ant traps and even brought some professional ant bait and insecticide back with me from Florida. They all worked! For about a week or so. The ants I had in my kitchen were so small that you could barely see them. I know they are harmless, but I, like my mother, didn’t want them or any other creepy crawly hanging out and getting comfortable in my kitchen.
Off to the grocery I go! I purchased a few bags of laurel (bay) leaves and set about imitating my mother’s plan of attack. I have laurel leaves everywhere in my kitchen cupboards, on the counters, and under the sink! I have laurel leaves and no more ants. This is like a miracle cure!
If you are pestered by creepy crawlies, you may want to consider decorating your kitchen with bay laurel leaves! Inexpensive, readily available, environmentally friendly, and they work! Change them out every 3 months or so.
Thanks, Mom.
Note: I actually have some photographs that I wanted to post, but Blogger just wouldn't cooperate.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
CONFESSION: I AM A LEXAPHILE!
I KNOW THAT SOUNDS HORRIBLE, BUT IT IS TRUE. TO MY FELLOW LEXIPHILES, I OFFER THE FOLLOWING FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
To all you Lexiphiles .... (those who love playing on words), enjoy!
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles , U.C.L.A.
The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
The batteries were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
A will is a dead giveaway.
If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
Acupuncture: a jab well done.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
WOW! HAVE I BEEN BUSY LATELY!
Shortly after returning from a trip to Florida, I had to return just two weeks later. My condo sold, and I had to close it out. That was quite an ordeal. I left Florida on June 29 to arrive home here in Merida just in time to pick up my 16 year old cousin at the airport. He’ll stay here until the end of the month. Needless to say, it takes some extra energy to keep up with a 16 year old!
We’ve been taking in all the local attractions, lots of different restaurants, and a day trip to Chichenitiza, and have other Mayan ruins on the agenda. We took a 3 day trip to the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen area) and stayed at a 5 star all-inclusive. It was my third trip there and it was as good as I had remembered it! Food and lodging were excellent, and we saw some great shows. We all had a great time.
Today, it’s off to the market to check it out and search for some little treasures to return home with. We’re heading out to the beach at Sisal tomorrow for a swim and then lunch at one of my favorite sea food restaurants, and then back to Merida. Sunday, we’ll take in “Merida en Domingo” at the main square and grab some of those great tacos and other goodies and also do a little shopping. The schedule is open thereafter, but I know it will fill up quickly!
So, I’ve been a bit remiss in blogging, but definitely have been busy!
And enjoying myself immensely, I might add!
We’ve been taking in all the local attractions, lots of different restaurants, and a day trip to Chichenitiza, and have other Mayan ruins on the agenda. We took a 3 day trip to the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen area) and stayed at a 5 star all-inclusive. It was my third trip there and it was as good as I had remembered it! Food and lodging were excellent, and we saw some great shows. We all had a great time.
Today, it’s off to the market to check it out and search for some little treasures to return home with. We’re heading out to the beach at Sisal tomorrow for a swim and then lunch at one of my favorite sea food restaurants, and then back to Merida. Sunday, we’ll take in “Merida en Domingo” at the main square and grab some of those great tacos and other goodies and also do a little shopping. The schedule is open thereafter, but I know it will fill up quickly!
So, I’ve been a bit remiss in blogging, but definitely have been busy!
And enjoying myself immensely, I might add!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
THE HEAT AND CANNED GOODS
There are enough blogs out there telling us how extremely hot it has been in Merida, so I’ll let it suffice to say that it is “HELL-HOT”! Up until yesterday, Friday, there seemed to be no relief in sight. But alas! We finally got our first late afternoon shower! It cooled things down a bit, but then the devil reared its ugly head and the unrelenting sun made its appearance once again. And so the cycle will continue for the next few months.
Because of the extreme heat of summer, it is unsafe to store an excess amount of canned goods. Quite truthfully, I buy very few canned items anymore and opt for “fresh” whenever I can. That means shopping daily, or at least every other day, but that’s really OK by me! The primary reason for not wanting to store very many canned goods is the fact that the temperature in your cupboard will often equal or exceed the outside temperature. I know of no canned goods that are to be stored at room temperatures in excess of 90 or 100°F. I have lost many a good can of tomatoes and other items this way, including a can of tomato paste just the other day. You can always tell when the can is bad if it makes a popping sound when you open it and starts to bubble/gurgle up. Toss it!
It’s always so tempting to buy “more than one” when the item is on sale or sold in 6 packs at Costco or Sam’s Club. Even though I know better, I often fall victim. I love their brands of canned tomatoes but you can only buy them in 6 or 8 packs, and I often do, only to arrive home and suffer with buyer’s remorse thereafter.
If you live in this area, or other tropical-like area, it is time to inventory your cupboards and get rid of those canned goods that have been stored for a while. I do this on a regular basis to make sure nothing goes to waste. It is extremely dangerous to consume any canned product that has been around for an excessive amount of time. Botulism and salmonella are lurking inside of old, unused products. Serious side affects can take their toll. So, go check out your stash of goodies and anything that looks suspiciously old, use it if feasible, or toss it.
The heat is a killer of canned goods. Dry goods, if stored in air-tight containers, are a different story and as long as they are not exposed to direct sunlight, will last for quite awhile. The trick is to buy not what you “want”, but what you absolutely “need”. Because of the extreme heat we experience, many homes in the area have no doors on their cupboards. This is to accommodate air flow. Even some very expensive homes have open shelves, or “cupboardless kitchens”. If you do have doors or similar sealing devices on your kitchen cupboards, leave them cracked a bit to let some air get in there, otherwise your products, canned or boxed, will just sit in there and smolder in the heat of the day.
Now, I haven’t checked any of this with Snopes, but I did get this information several years ago from a friend of mine who was a doctor. So far, it has worked well for me except for those damn tomatoes I keep buying!
Because of the extreme heat of summer, it is unsafe to store an excess amount of canned goods. Quite truthfully, I buy very few canned items anymore and opt for “fresh” whenever I can. That means shopping daily, or at least every other day, but that’s really OK by me! The primary reason for not wanting to store very many canned goods is the fact that the temperature in your cupboard will often equal or exceed the outside temperature. I know of no canned goods that are to be stored at room temperatures in excess of 90 or 100°F. I have lost many a good can of tomatoes and other items this way, including a can of tomato paste just the other day. You can always tell when the can is bad if it makes a popping sound when you open it and starts to bubble/gurgle up. Toss it!
It’s always so tempting to buy “more than one” when the item is on sale or sold in 6 packs at Costco or Sam’s Club. Even though I know better, I often fall victim. I love their brands of canned tomatoes but you can only buy them in 6 or 8 packs, and I often do, only to arrive home and suffer with buyer’s remorse thereafter.
If you live in this area, or other tropical-like area, it is time to inventory your cupboards and get rid of those canned goods that have been stored for a while. I do this on a regular basis to make sure nothing goes to waste. It is extremely dangerous to consume any canned product that has been around for an excessive amount of time. Botulism and salmonella are lurking inside of old, unused products. Serious side affects can take their toll. So, go check out your stash of goodies and anything that looks suspiciously old, use it if feasible, or toss it.
The heat is a killer of canned goods. Dry goods, if stored in air-tight containers, are a different story and as long as they are not exposed to direct sunlight, will last for quite awhile. The trick is to buy not what you “want”, but what you absolutely “need”. Because of the extreme heat we experience, many homes in the area have no doors on their cupboards. This is to accommodate air flow. Even some very expensive homes have open shelves, or “cupboardless kitchens”. If you do have doors or similar sealing devices on your kitchen cupboards, leave them cracked a bit to let some air get in there, otherwise your products, canned or boxed, will just sit in there and smolder in the heat of the day.
Now, I haven’t checked any of this with Snopes, but I did get this information several years ago from a friend of mine who was a doctor. So far, it has worked well for me except for those damn tomatoes I keep buying!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
GETTING READY TO FLY (A BIT OF A RANT)
I vividly recall a long lost era when flying was actually fun! (Really!!!)
While there were no specific dress codes per se, you had to be properly dressed or you just didn’t fit in. Shirt and tie for gentleman and even young boys; a dress with frills for the ladies and young ladies alike was the uniform of the day. Everyone seemed so neat and proper. I rather enjoyed it.
Today, as long as your private parts are (mostly) covered, it just doesn’t matter how gruff you look. No problem – welcome aboard. Flip flops? Cool – come on down! Shorts and a T-Shirt? Good-to-go! Why not.? Forgot to bathe? Don’t worry – catch a shower when you get home. Drunk, rowdy or whatever? Not an issue. They’ll help you find your seat, strap you in, and hope you stay in it during the flight. They’ll even sell you more to drink just to pacify you and hope you remain seated! (If you think this is an exaggeration, take a flight out of Cancun and judge for yourself.)
I do not recall any luggage ever being screened, x-rayed, measured and weighed, ultra violated or even given a second look. Today – forget it. It is always x-rayed and often opened, and of course resealed, with a cheery note from Homeland Security. On occasion, some items have been “confiscated” from my luggage without explanation. I’ve actually had carry-on luggage x-rayed, screened, and searched 3 times before being able to board! Maybe I have that terrorist look or something. I’ve got luggage that’s been x-rayed so many times that I’m amazed that it doesn’t glow in the dark!
Today there are multiple baggage restrictions and you oftentimes have to pay for checked luggage! If you fly internationally, the first piece is free, but the second checked piece of luggage isn’t. Prices vary from carrier to carrier. Oh! And some seats, even in the “tourist” section of the plane, cost more! If you want a seat with more leg room, such as the bulk head seats, that will be an extra $69.00 US. Some carriers are talking about extra charges for aisle seats also. Good grief! Where and when will this price gouging by the airlines stop!?!
Oh! And heaven forbid you should have a liquid or a gel on you or in your carry-on before you board. This is borderline criminal and “confiscation” is the word of the day. You can pack liquids and gels in your check-in luggage and risk the chance of having them break and spill over all your clothing, or just buy what you need when you get to wherever it is you’re going. That seems so much easier. There is also a process to carry minimal amounts of liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage if they have been properly measured, sealed and stored in the correct size zip lock bag. Personally, I can’t be bothered, won’t take the risk of “confiscation”, and find it easier to buy what I need when I get there.
And before you’re ever allowed to enter the boarding area, you and your carry-on luggage are screened and x-rayed at least once, usually twice. Once in the air side terminal area, you are again inspected/searched (various forms – can be exciting) to make sure that the other three screening processes didn’t miss anything. Sometimes, you even have to get undressed, or at least remove your shoes. (Hmmmm . . . flip flops are sounding better all the time!) Shoeless, you now have to remove your belt and any metal objects you have on you. Here’s hoping the belt you just removed wasn’t holding up your pants! And ladies, most reinforced and under-wire bras set off the machines and put them in a tilt mode with lights flashing and sirens roaring. "Confiscation" is a possibility, so it’s best to go braless. Guys like that better anyways.
Should you spot a friend on the other side of the airport and his name is Jack, under no circumstances should you ever yell out “Hi Jack”! You will immediately be wrestled to the ground and (yep, you guessed it) “confiscated”. It’s probably best to pretend you didn’t see him or just wave and smile, or even a nod of recognition, but NEVER “Hi Jack”. And no jokes either! There are warning signs and public service announcements advising of the consequences which probably include “confiscation”. Same goes for unattended luggage – “confiscation”.
As a young guy, I recall flirting with the stewardesses and always getting a neat pair of plastic wings to wear on my freshly starched and ironed white dress shirt. (I also fantasized about being “confiscated”.) Once, I even got a tie bar! I don’t know if they still do that or not. I may ask for my plastic wings this trip just to see what they say. (“Confiscation” comes to mind!) And, believe this or not, it was permissible to go and visit the captain during the flight! Can you imagine!?! A visit to the cockpit – unheard of! As a young man, I actually did this on more than one occasion and even got to sit in a jump seat right behind the captain while we were at 20,000 feet! Try that today, and guess what?? Right – “confiscation”!
I even recall looking forward to the meals that you were served. Although not gourmet, you usually had a choice of the entre which was always fresh, hot, tasty, healthy, and presented to you with real silverware and a smile. Today, consider yourself fortunate to get a small glass of Coke and a micro-mini bag of micro-mini pretzels. You can sometimes get a smile with that if you’re lucky. But I don’t blame the hired help, I blame the carrier. Three glasses of Coke can be had from one can. I always ask for the can. This way, I can at least get my thirst quenched. There aren’t enough micro-mini pretzels in the bag to feed an anorexic squirrel. That’s why I always manage to have a bite to eat before I board. Some airlines are now selling sandwiches and other food/snack items. It’s like they haven’t made enough off of you for your airfare, they are now going into the restaurant business.
Some airlines used to give complimentary booze, even in tourist class. (I always tried to book with those airlines.) Today, a miniature bottle of booze will cost you around $6.00 US dollars, but don’t even think you can pay cash for it. No way! Credit cards only!! I can only surmise that the staff isn’t good at making change (or something). I really haven’t quite figured that one out. “You mean to tell me that you don’t want my US dollars???? They’re no good and won’t spend????? Even on this United States of America airlines???” I hope this isn’t a trend.
Today, there are multiple amenities in the cabin area including movies, music, telephones, and other electronic devices for your flying pleasure. Get your credit card out and keep it handy. US dollars not accepted! Years ago, we had no such luxuries. (Some of those things weren’t even invented yet!) Magazines and coloring books and crayons were handed out and considered a treat! We dozed, conversed with family and friends, struck up conversations with other passengers, and basically, just enjoyed the ride. It seemed simpler then.
After ranting and raving, I must confess that I am willing to comply with whatever rules they can come up with. I want to fly safe and be secure. While it sometimes seems a bit over the edge, I absolutely realize the necessity for it. But sometimes it feels good just to rant and rave a bit! But for some reason, I just don’t feel that the price I pay for my ticket equals the services I receive from the carrier. And those prices seem to increase on an all too regular basis. Why? Have the price of Coke and micro-mini pretzels escalated so much that they need to add on an extra $50.00 to my ticket price? I guess they just blame it all on the price of oil. It works for them but not always for me.
I’m off to pack for my flight! I’m going to do my best to enjoy it, despite all the rigors and exorbitant costs of flying today. I’ll try not to get “confiscated”!
(Ahhh, the good old days! They start tomorrow!)
While there were no specific dress codes per se, you had to be properly dressed or you just didn’t fit in. Shirt and tie for gentleman and even young boys; a dress with frills for the ladies and young ladies alike was the uniform of the day. Everyone seemed so neat and proper. I rather enjoyed it.
Today, as long as your private parts are (mostly) covered, it just doesn’t matter how gruff you look. No problem – welcome aboard. Flip flops? Cool – come on down! Shorts and a T-Shirt? Good-to-go! Why not.? Forgot to bathe? Don’t worry – catch a shower when you get home. Drunk, rowdy or whatever? Not an issue. They’ll help you find your seat, strap you in, and hope you stay in it during the flight. They’ll even sell you more to drink just to pacify you and hope you remain seated! (If you think this is an exaggeration, take a flight out of Cancun and judge for yourself.)
I do not recall any luggage ever being screened, x-rayed, measured and weighed, ultra violated or even given a second look. Today – forget it. It is always x-rayed and often opened, and of course resealed, with a cheery note from Homeland Security. On occasion, some items have been “confiscated” from my luggage without explanation. I’ve actually had carry-on luggage x-rayed, screened, and searched 3 times before being able to board! Maybe I have that terrorist look or something. I’ve got luggage that’s been x-rayed so many times that I’m amazed that it doesn’t glow in the dark!
Today there are multiple baggage restrictions and you oftentimes have to pay for checked luggage! If you fly internationally, the first piece is free, but the second checked piece of luggage isn’t. Prices vary from carrier to carrier. Oh! And some seats, even in the “tourist” section of the plane, cost more! If you want a seat with more leg room, such as the bulk head seats, that will be an extra $69.00 US. Some carriers are talking about extra charges for aisle seats also. Good grief! Where and when will this price gouging by the airlines stop!?!
Oh! And heaven forbid you should have a liquid or a gel on you or in your carry-on before you board. This is borderline criminal and “confiscation” is the word of the day. You can pack liquids and gels in your check-in luggage and risk the chance of having them break and spill over all your clothing, or just buy what you need when you get to wherever it is you’re going. That seems so much easier. There is also a process to carry minimal amounts of liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage if they have been properly measured, sealed and stored in the correct size zip lock bag. Personally, I can’t be bothered, won’t take the risk of “confiscation”, and find it easier to buy what I need when I get there.
And before you’re ever allowed to enter the boarding area, you and your carry-on luggage are screened and x-rayed at least once, usually twice. Once in the air side terminal area, you are again inspected/searched (various forms – can be exciting) to make sure that the other three screening processes didn’t miss anything. Sometimes, you even have to get undressed, or at least remove your shoes. (Hmmmm . . . flip flops are sounding better all the time!) Shoeless, you now have to remove your belt and any metal objects you have on you. Here’s hoping the belt you just removed wasn’t holding up your pants! And ladies, most reinforced and under-wire bras set off the machines and put them in a tilt mode with lights flashing and sirens roaring. "Confiscation" is a possibility, so it’s best to go braless. Guys like that better anyways.
Should you spot a friend on the other side of the airport and his name is Jack, under no circumstances should you ever yell out “Hi Jack”! You will immediately be wrestled to the ground and (yep, you guessed it) “confiscated”. It’s probably best to pretend you didn’t see him or just wave and smile, or even a nod of recognition, but NEVER “Hi Jack”. And no jokes either! There are warning signs and public service announcements advising of the consequences which probably include “confiscation”. Same goes for unattended luggage – “confiscation”.
As a young guy, I recall flirting with the stewardesses and always getting a neat pair of plastic wings to wear on my freshly starched and ironed white dress shirt. (I also fantasized about being “confiscated”.) Once, I even got a tie bar! I don’t know if they still do that or not. I may ask for my plastic wings this trip just to see what they say. (“Confiscation” comes to mind!) And, believe this or not, it was permissible to go and visit the captain during the flight! Can you imagine!?! A visit to the cockpit – unheard of! As a young man, I actually did this on more than one occasion and even got to sit in a jump seat right behind the captain while we were at 20,000 feet! Try that today, and guess what?? Right – “confiscation”!
I even recall looking forward to the meals that you were served. Although not gourmet, you usually had a choice of the entre which was always fresh, hot, tasty, healthy, and presented to you with real silverware and a smile. Today, consider yourself fortunate to get a small glass of Coke and a micro-mini bag of micro-mini pretzels. You can sometimes get a smile with that if you’re lucky. But I don’t blame the hired help, I blame the carrier. Three glasses of Coke can be had from one can. I always ask for the can. This way, I can at least get my thirst quenched. There aren’t enough micro-mini pretzels in the bag to feed an anorexic squirrel. That’s why I always manage to have a bite to eat before I board. Some airlines are now selling sandwiches and other food/snack items. It’s like they haven’t made enough off of you for your airfare, they are now going into the restaurant business.
Some airlines used to give complimentary booze, even in tourist class. (I always tried to book with those airlines.) Today, a miniature bottle of booze will cost you around $6.00 US dollars, but don’t even think you can pay cash for it. No way! Credit cards only!! I can only surmise that the staff isn’t good at making change (or something). I really haven’t quite figured that one out. “You mean to tell me that you don’t want my US dollars???? They’re no good and won’t spend????? Even on this United States of America airlines???” I hope this isn’t a trend.
Today, there are multiple amenities in the cabin area including movies, music, telephones, and other electronic devices for your flying pleasure. Get your credit card out and keep it handy. US dollars not accepted! Years ago, we had no such luxuries. (Some of those things weren’t even invented yet!) Magazines and coloring books and crayons were handed out and considered a treat! We dozed, conversed with family and friends, struck up conversations with other passengers, and basically, just enjoyed the ride. It seemed simpler then.
After ranting and raving, I must confess that I am willing to comply with whatever rules they can come up with. I want to fly safe and be secure. While it sometimes seems a bit over the edge, I absolutely realize the necessity for it. But sometimes it feels good just to rant and rave a bit! But for some reason, I just don’t feel that the price I pay for my ticket equals the services I receive from the carrier. And those prices seem to increase on an all too regular basis. Why? Have the price of Coke and micro-mini pretzels escalated so much that they need to add on an extra $50.00 to my ticket price? I guess they just blame it all on the price of oil. It works for them but not always for me.
I’m off to pack for my flight! I’m going to do my best to enjoy it, despite all the rigors and exorbitant costs of flying today. I’ll try not to get “confiscated”!
(Ahhh, the good old days! They start tomorrow!)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
CONSERVING AND RECYCLING WATER CAN BE “FRUITFUL”!
Without fanfare or rhetoric, I think we all know the benefits of conserving water, no matter where you live. Now that the hot weather is definitely upon us here in the Yucatan, our water usage increases dramatically.
Because of the intense heat, we shower more often, have to change clothing two or three times per day depending on personal preferences and activities, the washing machine seems to never stop going, pools, ponds and water features require high maintenance and extra water to make up for the rapid evaporation that takes place, our personal water intake increases as it essential to remain properly hydrated, and basically, everything just starts to dry out from the never-ending intense heat of summer. Every plant and shrub requires daily doses of water just to survive the heat.
At my home, we practice water conservation and recycling year round. The rinse water from the washing machine is diverted through a hose that is used to fill several buckets. This water is then used to water plants, wash down the patio, and the front sidewalk and street to help keep the dust and dirt to a minimum. I can’t tell you how much water this recycling method saves.
The rinse water from the washing machine does not, repeat, does not harm the plants! In fact, the soapy water discourages insects and other "creepie-crawlies" that would otherwise snack on your plants or become homesteaders and make a neat little nest in the plant itself.
In the kitchen sink, we keep a plastic basin to catch all water coming from the tap and to wash dishes in. We rinse our dishes with water direct from the faucet and the rinse water is then caught in the plastic basin and recycled. When the basin is full, it is emptied into a large bucket and that water is used to water the plants with. Any and all water used in the kitchen is recycled in this manner. Fruits and vegetables are soaked in water with an iodine-based antibacterial (Microdyn) added to the water to kill any lingering bacteria. This water is also recycled and becomes a cool refreshing drink for the plants!
Recently, we noticed something growing out of the dwarf bouganvilla plant. (I’m not sure how to correctly spell bouganvilla and when I looked it up, I couldn’t find it!!) It looked like something other than a weed so it was left alone to see what might become of it. Low and behold, it was a tomato plant! It was not planted purposefully, but apparently a seed or two was in the basin that was transferred to a bucket and that water was then used to water the plant. The seed took, and I will soon be enjoying a fresh tomato salad from the garden! Like I said, conserving and recycling water can be fruitful. Here’s a picture to prove it!
(And by the way, the tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable!)
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