Is America a Wine Exporting Country? - Part 1

The United States of America has produced wines a long long time ago, it is believed since about 1500s.

Image 1- Two brands of California wines

Then, all of 50 states have their own wine production now days.

Almost 90% of American wines are manufactured in California. Napa is the most famous wine county in this state.

It is related to the fact that California is the state with most wine consumption in the USA.

Then, since higher production, it is not surprising that USA is one of wine exporters in the world, based on report from World’s Top Exports (2021), USA was ranked 6^th.

Image 2- Just for illustration

Image 3- Artwork of glass and bottle of wine

In the 2021, ranking by countries, measured by total export values in US dollars are following:

- France, total export value was US$11 billion
- Italy, total export value was $7.3 billion
- Spain, total export value was $3.5 billion
- Australia, total value was $2.2 billion
- Chile, total value was $2 billion
- United States, total value was $1.4 billion.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 2
- Blueberry is One of Fruits Rich in Antioxidants – Food 13
- Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 1
- Can Alzheimer's Disease be Passing Down from Parent to Child? - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 4.

The White Spider Lily at our City Garden – Nature 36

When we visit our city garden about few weeks ago, surprisingly we saw white spider lily at the corner of garden for the first time.

Image 1- White spider lily

One of gardeners told us that white spider lily with scientific name Hymenocallis caroliniana is a rare plant, especially in our area.

Actually, this plant is native plant of these countries (regions):

- USA
- Mexico
- and Central America

I don’t know whether true or not as said by gardener that this white spider lily is easy to grow and take care.

Image 2- Crab spider with its web at the yard

Image 3- White spider lily at city garden

Be careful that lily plants are generally toxic, all parts of the plant are considered toxic:

- leaves
- flowers
- stem
- and pollen.

If we grow in the vase, the water in past harmful too, especially for cats, dogs and other pets.

Do you know white spider lily? Have you seen the plant?

# Previous postings:

- A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 1
- Attractive Yellow Flowers at the Corner – Part 2 – Nature 19
- When the Georgian Chicken Came to My Kitchen – Part 2 – Food 12
- Can Alzheimer's Disease be Passing Down from Parent to Child? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 4

Why does Gum Disease cause Alzheimer's?- Part 2 - Alzheimer's 8

 You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Why does Gum Disease cause Alzheimer's?- Part 1 - Alzheimer's 8

Image 1- Gum infections (Credit: Shutterstock)

There is a wide range of bacteria in our mouth.One of them is Porphymonas gingivalis, causes the gum disease.

The big group of bacteria grow and forming a plaque, and the worse one they release toxins and cause inflammation.

Once the oral cavity is infected by P. gingivalis, they may access the brain through some pathway including: cranial nerves, monocytes, endothelial cell in the blood brain barriers.

Image 2- People, illustration only

Image 3- Plants sold in the market, illustration

When P. gingivalis enter the brain, they spread slowly for years and also damage neuron to neuron.

Gum disease or gingivitis is common and preventable. Symptoms include:

- swollen
- red
- and tender gums.

Regular dentist visits are important for gum disease prevention and treatments.

Treatment includes professionally cleaning around teeth to prevent bone damage. Prevention can begin at home by brushing and flossing twice a day.

# Previous postings:

- How did Alzheimer find out the change in his patient's brain? - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 3
- Attractive Yellow Flowers at the Corner – Part 1 – Nature 19
- When the Georgian Chicken Came to My Kitchen – Part 1 – Food 12
- May Smartphones Lead You Older Quickly? - Part 2 – Health Life 18

The Four Weeks Old Baby Squirrel – Science 17

The squirrel is one of wild critters has been living in our neighborhoods. Others include crocodiles, raccoon and birds.

Image 1- A baby girl squirrel

Some of our neighborhood critters have been published in this blogger:

- Size of Bluebirds Birdhouse at the Backyard – Nature 31
- A Juvenile Woodpecker Hit a Glass Window – Nature 27
- What kinds of foods are Consumed by Crowned Night Heron? - Nature 22
- Wild Animals and Birds in my Backyard – Nature 8a
- Alligator in the Nearby Neighborhood - Nature 7

We just found 2 babies' squirrel about 4 weeks ago on the our yard. I believe they fall down from a tree, a tall tree off course.

Image 2- A little puppy and getting strong

When we found, one has already dead. Another one didn't have any injuries at all, and quite amazing that a baby squirrel is still alive with us now.

Image 3- She eager to play

Vets told us that hard to take care newborn babies squirrel even for an experienced rehabber, the baby highly possibly still die.

Image 4- She is milking

Just to let you know that squirrels are mating and birthing twice a year in our areas (state):

- around December to February
- June to August

Period of gestation is up to 46 days, but no less than 38 days. After three months, squirrel babies should be able to eat foods from nature such as:

- vegetables
- nuts or seeds
- and fruit

# Previous postings:

- How did Alzheimer find out the change in his patient's brain? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 3
- Biscotti and “The Blissful Feast” by Teresa Lust – Part 2 – Reading 9
- Lord of the Ducks in the Garden – Part 2 – Nature 18
- May Smartphones Lead You Older Quickly? - Part 1 – Health Life 18

What does Hypertension Mean? - Part 1 – Cardiovascular 3

Literally the term of hypertension is high blood pressure. Hypertension happens when the force of the blood from the heart through arteries is too strong.

Image 1- High blood pressure worldwide

(Credit to Center for Diseases Control (CDC))

The heart is pumping the blood hardly.

Whenever the heart beats, the blood is pumped from the heart through arteries to the entire of the body.

The rhythm of heartbeat or pump is not always the same. The rhythm is depending on our activities.

What is it mean?

Image 2- Community library, illustration

 Image 3- Books in community library

It is mean that the rhythm is increasing or beating a little faster when someone:

- wake up
- exercise or under stress

This condition is normal but when blood pressure insist to stay high most the time, it might lead to the hypertension.

So, the hypertension is the chronic elevation of pumping blood in arterial blood pressure.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Reducing Number of Amazon River Pink Dolphin? - Part 2 – Nature 17
- Biscotti and “The Blissful Feast” by Teresa Lust – Part 1 – Reading 9
- Lord of the Ducks in the Garden – Part 1 – Nature 18
- Corned Beef Harsh - The Popular Breakfast in Louisiana–Part 2– Food 11

Does Red Bell Pepper Contain more Vitamin C than Orange? - Part 1 – Food 21

Few people consume red bell pepper sometimes, but many people love to eat often with their own reasons.

Image 1- Red bell pepper

I am including in the group who eat bell peppers almost with every meals. A kind of appetizer for me.

Actually, we familiar with this vegetable. I always see red bell pepper or any peppers whenever I went to Walmart, groceries or our neighborhood farmer markets.

The price is quite reasonable, depend on the places you go whether groceries or farmer markets.

The cost is generally about US$ 1 each or even much less.

Image 2- Bell peppers in the farmer market

Image 3- Navel orange, sold in Walmart

They are fresh and attractive.

However, if there is a comparative question: Which one has vitamin C more - Red Bell Peppers or Oranges?

You might answer suddenly: an orange!

Is it right?

No

Off course not!

Why?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Sweet Chocolate Candies and a Yummy Book – Part 2 – Reading 8
- Reducing Number of Amazon River Pink Dolphin? - Part 1 – Nature 17
- The Early Person who Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases - Part 2 – Alzheimer's 2
- Corned Beef Harsh - The Popular Breakfast in Louisiana – Part 1 – Food 11

Newborn Sea Turtles are almost All Females – Science 16

I believe that we all know about global warming, and I just post about higher temperature in many cities across America:

- Higher Temperature due to Heat Island Effect – Science 15 

Image 1- A box turtle at our yard.

Increasing of temperatures has caused responds either positively or negatively by natures (animals).

Just for one example that in fact, eggs of sea turtles have hatching almost all female of new babies in many places in recent years.

Normally, ratio between female and male turtle babies was about 60% to 40% or 65% to 35%.

Image 2- Toy turtle, illustration

99% of females for newborn turtle has been found in the beaches include in the areas of:

- in Australian beaches
- in Florida, USA beach

Image 3- Turtle box came to backyard

As you might know that turtle gender is determined by temperature after fertilization. Few other animals are (examples only):

- alligators and crocodiles.
- some species of lizards

Then, temperature during eggs incubation in the beaches (sand) will decide turtle baby's sex:

- lower than 27.7 Celsius (81.9 F) degree will result in almost males
- higher than 31 Celsius (88.8 F) degree will hatch almost female

Now, you may guess why newborn turtles are tending to almost all females.

# Previous postings:

- Take Care of Winter Storm in Early 2022 – Part 1 – Nature 16
- Sweet Chocolate Candies and a Yummy Book – Part 1 – Reading 8
- Take Care of Winter Storm in Early 2022 – Part 2 – Nature 16
- The Early Person who Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases - Part 1 – Alzheimer's 2