Feeling--
eh, better
Reading--
The Princess Diaries, Volume V: Princess In Pink by Meg Cabot
Listening to-- nothing
I'm not sure I'm up to updating yet, but I'll give it a try. I'm still a bit out of it from Friday evening's nasty bout of the stomach flu and a couple of other unmentionable curses I won't name as they are most likely too much information. Needless to say, I feel better than I have in days, albeit a bit weak and spacey still. So if I don't make complete sense, forgive me; I have a good reason.
Last night Mom brought home a Tidbits trivia newsletter after she and Dad had gone out to eat at Subway. The factoids are quite interesting to me, so I thought I'd share them with you all. And besides, Spring is on its way; the flowers will be coloring our world again. *smiles*
Tidbits and I Stop to Smell the Bloomin' Flowers
Compiled by Lynne PatriceVanilla, that ingredient that makes cakes and cookies smell so delicious while they're baking, comes from a variety of orchid. The vanilla orchid starts out growing from the ground like any other flower, but then it eventually latches onto a tree and, using it for support, starts climbing it. The roots lose contact with the soil and begin to draw their nutrients from the air. Due to the high demand for vanilla beans, farmers often pollinate their flowers by hand, using a long wooden needle.The color pink was actually named after the carnation. Prior to the 16th century, "pink" was a verb, meaning to cut or tear something into a ragged edge (that's how "pinking shears" got their name). When carnations were first cultivated, they were called "pinks" after the serrated edges of their petals. The carnation's color, first described as "pale rose," eventually became known simply as "pink."What is the "bravest" flower? Tidbits' vote is for the crocus, which is usually the first flower to bloom in Spring. Some of them even poke their heads out while there is still snow on the ground. Crocuses are grown from corms, which look like bulbs, but decidedly different. When most other types of bulbs are planted and start to reproduce, they form smaller bulbs underground on the outside of the original. Corms, however, shrivel up underground and new corms are produced on the plant itself.The world's most expensive spice, saffron, comes from a type of crocus. It takes 75,000 blossoms to make one pound of saffron!Approximately 68% of the fresh-cut flowers sold in the U.S. are grown in California. Eighty percent of those blooms are transported across the country via a refrigerated truck. Roses are the biggest seller, followed by lilies and daisies.Minnesota's state flower, the Showy Lady's Slipper, can live for 50 years and grow four feet tall. It takes 16 years to produce its first flower though, which is why it's protected by law.Daffodils are members of the Narcissus family; in fact, the two terms can be used interchangeably. It is incorrect, however, to call all daffodils "jonquils," as that is a very specific type of flower. A jonquil is a Division 7 daffodil, with very narrow, almost cylindrical leaves and only one to five flowers per stem.When we think of tulips we immediately think of Holland, but it turns out these flowers originated in Turkey. Carolus Clusius, a botantist from Vienna, named the exotic bloom "tulip" after the Turkish word for turban. In the 17th century, tulips were introduced to the Netherlands, and they quickly became all the rage among the wealthy. A sudden (but short-lived) surge in popularity led to collectors paying outrageous sums of money for single bulbs.Orchids are the most widely dispersed plant family on the planet. They can be found literally from the North to South Poles. Orchids come in every color, even green and black--except for blue. There are some varieties that are called "blue," but they aren't are a "true blue." These are actually a combination of violet and magenta that give the flowers a bluish hue.Given its name one would think Baby's Breath would smell something like sour milk. However, gypsophilia (as botantists call it) got its name from its tiny, delicate blooms and their soft, airy fragrance. And even though florists charge extra to include this decorative plant in a plant in a bouquet or corsage, it's technically considered to be a weed.How did poppies come to symbolize war veterans? It has been noted throughout history that red poppies sprout up in battlefields after the fighting is finished. It turns out that poppies thrive in disturbed soil--the seeds can lay dormant in the ground for years. When the ground was dug up to bury fallen soldiers, it caused the poppies to germinate.Canadian military officer John McRae had just helped to bury a fallen comrade in Belgium during WWI when he was moved to write a poem that began: In Flanders Fields the poppies blow; between the crosses row on row. Today we honor our war veterans by wearing the flower whose brief blooming time symbolizes the short lives of many soldiers, and whose scarlet red color represents the blood that has been shed on the battlefield.In August of 1910, 15 U.S. florists agreed to exchange orders for out-of-town deliveries. The Florists' Telegraph Delivery, or FTD, was founded and became the world's first flowers-by-wire service. They adopted the winged-footed Roman god Mercury as their emblem. In 1965, when the company began handling international deliveries, the "T" in its name changed from Telegraph to Transworld.What is the secret to arranging flowers like a professional? A frog. No, not the green, slimy amphibian that turns into a prince when kissed; a florist's frog is a device placed in the bottom of a vase or container that enables the cut flowers to stand upright.Of all the flowers in the world, none are more beloved than the rose. If you are the lucky recipient of a rose bouquet, you can keep the blooms fresh longer by cutting the stems at an angle (with a non-serrated knife) while they're held underwater. Do not pull the thorns off, as that will leave the stems open to bacteria. Put lukewarm water in to the vase and keep it at room temperature during the day (out of direct sunlight). Put the vase in a cool area at night. Most importantly, change the water every two days--don't just top it off.Bees aren't the only pollinators in the floral world. Butterflies also serve this purpose, particularly the Monarch butterfly, which is attracted to brightly colored, sweet-smelling blooms. Bats help to keep the flowers on the desert cactus healthy both by spreading pollen and eating insects and pests.In 2001 the FDA approved Reminyl, a drug derived from daffodil bulbs. Reminyl has proven to be effetive in the treatment of early to moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.Many flowers are not only decorative, they're edible too. One caution though: If you plan to add blossoms or petals to your cake or salad, make sure they've been grown organically, without any chemical treatment. Yellow and orange zinnias, chrysanthemums and marigolds add a spicy, peppery taste to salads. Daylilies have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor, and nasturtiums taste similar to radishes. Rose petals add a delicate, sweet taste to sorbets, cakes and teas.
..:: Remembered�����E�����Occuring ::..
Recently Recorded...
06-17-2006 E Good Bye
06-07-2006 E A Real-Life American Princess
06-06-2006 E I Have VICTORY--With a Lil Help
06-03-2006 E The Ballot-Marking Device: Making History
06-01-2006 E Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things I Am Or Have Been Obsessed Or Fascinated With
