The Winter Hummingbird at Our Community – Science 26

Generally, hummingbirds have visited our state by late February to early March and gone by late Summer.

Image 1- Immature Rufous

In case of winter hummingbirds, sure, they will arrive and stay in our areas during winter seasons. Southern states winter is a little bit friendly than frozen winter in northern states.

There are many species of winter hummingbirds, but three the most seen in our neighborhoods:

- Rufous hummingbird
- Calliope hummingbird
- and Allen's hummingbird

Image 2- Flowers which attract hummingbirds

What make us wonder that why does Rufous hummingbird show up early in our neighborhood?

What are factors trigger them to do migration early?

Image 3- A hummingbird sitting on the branch

First, I read it is due to daylight changes. I don’t know whether this reason is true or false. Quite strange for me.

Second, shortage of food resources such as insects, nectar and flower in areas where winter hummingbirds come from.

Finally, severe temperature in northern part of America. Frozen temperature may trigger winter hummingbirds to arrive early in our areas.

# Previous postings:

- What Autumn is Like in My Town, Baton Rouge LA – Part 2 - Nature 15
- Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 3 – Science 10
- Changes of Parents Behaviors When Caring a Baby – Part 2 - Science 11

Commercial Firewood in Our City, Baton Rouge

There is no record the number of households use firewood for heating in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Image 1- Commercial firewood

Our state does not include in top 14 states using firewood for any purposes. The most of 6 states using firewood are:

- Vermont
- Maine
- Montana
- Idaho
- Oregon
- New Mexico

Image 2- Small business cutting firewood

However, we may find the places easily which sale firewood, especially during hurricane seasons and winter season.

Image 3- Selling of firewood

The blackout is common if our city hit by natural disasters, in this case is hurricane or storms.

Image 4 – Firewood in the room

More than 5 storms arrive in our state per year. In addition to generators, some people pile up firewood for preparation.

Several people I know said that heating by firewood is cheaper compared to electric bill during cold temperature.

The cost for 1 cord is range between US$ 175 to US$ 300, depend very much to wood quality and size of wood.

One cord consists of 600 to 700 pieces woods with size of 16 x 4 inches. One home may use 1 cord for two to three months.

Electric bill is about US$ 245 per month in Louisiana. So, using of firewood for heating is reasonable cheaper compared to electric bill.

Honestly, we never used firewood for heating. How about you?

Mural Paintings by Local Artists – Art 8

We talked about a colorful car which owned by mural artists at previous post:

- A Colorful Car at Our City Park – Art 7

Image 1- Two local artists are painting

After looking around for a while, we saw two mural artists while they are painting the wall diligently.

It seems the artists paint the park administration building. They painted variety of plants with pollinators on the leaves.

Sure, like other cities around the globe, we have mural collections in downtown.

Depictions of downtown murals may include cars, trees, futuristic architectures and animals.

Image 2- Artists are working hard

Image 3- Almost completed

Interestingly, all murals have been done by local artists, especially since 1998 where many mural projects are sponsored by art councils of our city.

Local artists may come from:

- students of high schools and universities
- who are graduated from universities and high schools
- whoever have talents.

We know one artist who graduated from painting and art history department of local university.

He is not only a mural artist, but doing a lot of commercial projects, some of them to paint windows and walls of restaurants, cafes, banks and many other businesses around city

How about with murals in your cities? 

What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1

We may think, plasticity refers to plastic, an elastic material or things that can be bending.

Image 1- Brain plasticity (credit to “learning-mind /brain-plasticity”)

In case of brain plasticity, the meaning is “changing” of brain due to internal and external factors.

As we grow in respect to whatever, the brain is “growing” as well, this could be said as “changing.”

The brain keeps changing made us able to face new experiences in our daily life.

One day, we face difficulty with new things, it is because our brain capability has been declined.

Image 2- People saw some plants

We know that older persons get problem to adapt to new environments, and even not so interest to learn new methods.

Image 3- Just for illustration

It is important as said by Banks (2016) for brain to have ability to re-wire or modify itself. This ability makes us be human, develop from childhood to adulthood.

Another special ability is that brain could re-routing the signal pathways if one neural pathway was error. The ability significantly distinguishes between brain and computer, where computer just have parallel motor and sensory signals.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- What Autumn is Like in My Town Baton Rouge LA – Part 1 - Nature 15
- The Rainbow BeforeParents Behaviors When Caring a Baby – Part 1 - Science 11

Have you ever Tasted Boiled Peanuts? - Food 29

USA peanuts consumption increasing year by year. Per Capita consumption hit record at 7.9 pound (3.6 kg) in recent years.

Image 1- Boiled peanut, sold in the gas station

I believe that almost people have ever enjoyed consuming roasted peanuts. Its popular all over the world, I think.

However, boiled peanut is one of favorite “snacks” in our state, Louisiana. We may find this snack in many places across state.

During Summer to early Autumn seasons, we like to buy raw, because of cheaper price. The peanuts also fresh, just harvested from farms and brought to the market by farmers.

Image 2- Boiled peanuts, ready to be eaten

Image 3- Boiled peanuts sold at the gas station.

Since raw peanuts have been cleaned, free from soil, then we may boil them immediately.

Place the peanuts into cooking pot, then drain the fresh water into pot. Heat the cooking pot with high heating for about 15 minutes, then lower the heat for about 110 minutes.

In fact, the price of boiled peanuts sold in the gas station is quite expensive (in increasing nowadays):

- price of small bowl with weight of 16 oz (454 gram) for US$ 2.29
- price of big bowl with weight of 32 oz (908 gram) for US$ 3.29

# Previous postings:

- Can a Poet be a Millionaire? - Art 4
- Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 2 – Science 10

A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 2 – Healthy Life 25

You may read previous 1 (Part 1):

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

Image 1- Hansen diseases museum (credit to Atlas Obscura)

The Museum is located at 5445 Point Clair Rd. Carville. LA 70721. To reach this site from my city, Baton Rouge, there are some routes:

Interstate 10 (I-10 E)
US-61 South
E Hwy 30E

Interestingly, especially for me that there are verdant plantations, fields of sugar cane, and towering chemical plants along the way to the Point Clair.

Image 2- Decoration from pumpkin

This place is also called the Native (American) Indian Camp. In the past, Indian Houmas people used this area for hunting of wild animals and fishing.

Image 3- American flag fly over the roof

Beside Indian Camp, this site has different names along its history. At least three different well-known names, they are:

- Louisiana Leper Home

- The Louisiana Hansen's Disease Center
- National Hansen Disease Museum.

The museum is opened in 1999, after closing of hospital in 1998. The main purposes of museum to display live of Hansen disease patients and staff members.

Recent days, the museum provides education to who interests on Hansen’s diseases, include its prevention and treatment knowledge.

# Previous postings:

- Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 1 – Science 10
- A Memoir of Chasten Buttigieg – Part 2 – Reading 5

Some Facts about Pomegranate – Healthy Life 26

I thought Pomegranates grow in tropical countries only, and then exported to the USA markets.

Image 1- Pomegranate is source of antioxidant

In fact, this fruit grow well not only in dry states such as California and Arizona, but also in other certain states.

We may see Pomegranate as one of local fruit at local markets in several states include:

- North Carolina
- Utah
- Alabama and Florida
- and Texas

Image 2- Sweet seeds of Pomegranate

In our state, Louisiana, the fruit abundant during summer until early autumn seasons.

Almost all farmer markets sell Pomegranate with reasonable, and even lower prices on those times.

Image 3- Pomegranates sold in the local farmer market.

The special about the fruit that they contain a lot of (high in):

- dietary fiber and folic acid
- vitamin (C and K)
- antioxidant compounds and punicalagins (anti inflammatory compound)

In case of antioxidant properties, as you might know, it is believed that Pomegranate may reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol, then to improve hearth, prostate, digestive and brain conditions.

However, Pomegranate is higher sugar content, 14 gram sugar of 100 gram fruit, hence, it is not recommended to consume more than 100 gram fruit for diabetes patients.

Have you eaten Pomegranate?

If yes, do you like it?