The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 10

You may read previous posting (Part 1 and 2):

- The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 10

- The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 10

Image 1- Illustration (credit to Massachusetts General Hospital)

Here her short explanations (please read Part 2):

Sleep - We need to get enough sleep because sleep can clearing out the debris (or the thing is not good) from our brain. Sleep enough for 7-8 hours a day. A nap is counted!

Handle stress – Doing some meditation. Stress promotes inflammation, any meditation can reduce brain inflammation.

Interact with friends - Engaged with people you like. Loneliness can increase risk this disease two-fold. So stay active with people who like to be socialize.

Image 2- Cloud in the city, illustration only

Image 3- Walking path, illustration

Exercise - Exercise and exercise. It can create new cells.

Learn - Learn new things. Try to learn a language or an instrument or music or dance, or anything we like to learn. It can increase new synapses and force the old synapses.

Diet - Try Mediterranean diet. Gut health tied to brain health. Healthy gut bacteria decrease inflammation.

So, keeping up the healthy life habit. Shield the brain.

# Previous postings:

- The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 2 - Food 8
- When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 16
- Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 1 - Reading 4
- What is Knockout Animals ? - Part 1- Science 8

Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 1- Science 23

Image 1- Flock of Canadian geese at a corner of our neighborhood

The Canadian geese was believed to disappear in USA once, then they are surprisingly found in Minnesota in 1950.

Since then, they are introduced and conserved in many states, especially in Northern states across USA.

There are at least two species of Canadian geese which visit or stay in our city, they are:

- Branta canadensis, well known as Canadian geese
- Branta hutchinsii, also recognized as Cackling goose.

Image 2- A geese playing at nearby lake

Image 3- A geese tried to find food.

We mainly found giant Canadian geese in our city, Branta canadensis maxima, with wingspan could reach 7.3 feet (2.2 meter).

Some residents feel intimidating with growing population of Canadian geese in several parts of the city. Male Canadian geese is aggressive during breeding seasons.

Have you encountered Canadian geese during breeding seasons?

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Why the Moon Has Thousands of Small Aliens? - Part 2 – Science 7
- Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 2 – Reading 3
- The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 1 - Food 8
- When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 16

Paintings Show in Mini Maker Faire – Art 5

Maker Faire was held first time in San Mateo, California in 2006. More than 15 years ago.

Image 1- Painting in Maker Faire

Then, the festival spread all over cities across America. The first time Mini Maker Faire in our city was in 2014.

I just know this kind of festival recently. This annual event attracts many interests such as:

- computers
- robotics
- 3D printing
- arts, crafts and many more.

Image 2- One of corners in Mini Maker Faire

# Important postings:

- Paris in the Eyes of Vincent Van Gogh - Art 1
- Do You Know that Some Musical Instruments Made from Bamboo? - Art 2
- The Prodigy Kid - Marla Olmstead’s Paintings – Part 2- Art 3
- The Prodigy Kid - Marla Olmstead’s Paintings – Part 2- Art 3

Image 3- Paintings show

It seems that the faire was attended by all ages, from little kids to grandmothers and grandfathers.

I noticed there is painting section. Unfortunately, I saw just several paintings there. No artists seen in the section, paintings only.

In addition to American cities, the Maker Faire also held in Asia and European cities. Some cities are Shenzhen, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo (Asia), then Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Rome (Europe).

Have you known Maker Faire?

# Previous postings:

- Recreational Fishing in the Louisiana – Part 2 – Nature 13
- Growing Tabasco Peppers in My Yard – Part 2
- Why the Moon Has Thousands of Small Aliens? - Part 1 – Science 7
- Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 1 – Reading 3

A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 1 – Healthy Life 25

Since pandemic Covid-19, we are very familiar with the word of “quarantine”. You know what the meaning is.

Image 1- A building at the corner site of Baton Rouge, illustration only.

I believe that some of you might be have experienced about this word, quarantine.

We also know or may suffer of its psychological effects, during and after quarantine period.

Carville is a very familiar place in our state, Louisiana, where over 5,000 people had been quarantined in the old days.

Image 2- Parking lots, just for illustration

Image 3- An abandoned Plantation House in Carville circa 1894

(From Hansen's Disease Museum).

In Carville, there is a Plantation House that turned to be a Museum, This place used to be a house for, some people pronounced, “Quarantined for Life”.

It is about 40 minutes by car (30 miles/48 km) from here, Baton Rouge, to Carville in South direction . But, for now the Museum is closed due to Covid-19.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- New Parents often Faced Depression – Part 1 - Healthy Life 15
- The Prodigy Kid - Marla Olmstead’s Paintings – Part 2- Art 3
- New Parents often Faced Depression – Part 2 - Healthy Life 15
- Recreational Fishing in the Louisiana – Part 1 – Nature 13
- Growing Tabasco Peppers in My Yard – Part 1

What Critters are Consumed by Carnivorous Plants in Louisiana? - Science 25

We have talked about carnivorous plants in Louisiana, you may read the previous post: What is the Reason Specific Plants to Trap Animals? – Science 18

Image 1- Louisiana carnivorous plants

Actually, carnivorous plants, especially smaller ones, favor to consume trapped microorganisms like protozoa or bacteria.

Surprisingly, the plants may digest animals such as:

- reptiles
- small mammals
- small fish
- and crustaceans

Image 2- Bee is one of critters digested by carnivorous plants

# Other previous postings:

- The Amphibians Near Extinct due to Fungus Disease – Science 5
- Why Passion Flowers could Attract Butterfly? – Science 13
- Overdosing Epidemic Caused 100,000 Died in the USA – Science 9
- Can Succulents Improve Room Humidity? - Science 6

Image 3- Another insect consumed by carnivorous plants

However, the most common critters to be eaten by this carnivorous are variety of insects.

Image 4- Other carnivorous plants

The insects, off course small in term of size and coexist with carnivorous plants, they may include:

- bees
- beetles
- ants
- mosquitoes, and their larvae
- flies
- moths and gnats

Have you seen any animals trapped by carinivorous plants in nature?

# Previous postings:

- Hurricane Ida Hit Our Neighborhood – Nature 11
- Will Wild Horses Able to Ride Out Hurricane? - Part 1 – Nature 12
- The Prodigy Kid - Marla Olmstead’s Paintings – Part 1 - Art 3
- Will Wild Horses Able to Ride Out Hurricane? - Part 2 – Nature 12

Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 1 - Food 27

Have you seen the cashew tree?

Do you use any part of this plant?

Image 1- Creamy cashew milk

If you answer yes, then what part and what is the purpose?

From some sources, we know that cashew plant originates from Brazil, then spreading to the countries along the equator line and the other tropical areas that have good:

- soil
- temperature
- and the length of sunlight for this plan to grow.

Image 2- Two kids to play game, Just for illustration

The plants can reach between 26 – 50 feet (or 8 to 15 m) in height. A quite tall plant.

Image 3- The cashew milk is thicker than dairy whole milk and soy milk

Cashew (from word Caju) belongs to Anacardiaceae family, and the species Anacardium occidentale is most commercial plant.

Interestingly, people in our state, Louisiana can use any part from the cashew plants for multiple purposes.

From a cashew tree, people use almost all its properties: leaves, barks, seeds, shell of seeds.

# To be continued to part 2

## Previous postings:

- Are Freshwater Pearls Less Expensive? - Part 2
- Visiting the Oldest French City in Louisiana – Part 1
- Will We Live Longer if We Think Younger? - Healthy Life 14
- Visiting the Oldest French City in Louisiana – Part 2

Simple Decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving around Our Neighborhood

As you know we are in the USA, have Halloween day at the end of October, then followed by Thanksgiving Day in the third week of November.

Image 1- A girl with pumpkins

In respect to decorations of Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are several types of my neighbors:

- who doesn’t have decoration at all
- who have Halloween decoration only
- who have Thanksgiving decorations only
- who have combined of Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.

Our house includes in the type of who doesn’t have decoration at all with some reasons. 

Image 2- Halloween decoration at yard

Image 3- A smiling woman

Image 4- A skeleton decoration.

However, we do celebrate both Halloween and Thanksgiving days like other people in the world.

In case of decoration at our neighborhood, I think less and less neighbors have decoration for Halloween.

It might be due to economic constraints. People thinks about other matters than just spending time and money. Actually, I don’t know the exact reasons.

How about celebration of Halloween and Thanksgiving days in your neighborhood?

# Previous postings:

- Lobsters have Good Nutritional Values for Health – Healthy Life 13
- One of Ways to Make Barbeque in the Nature – Food 7
- Are Freshwater Pearls Less Expensive? - Part 1
- Growing Lantana in my Garden for Summer Project