Have you Seen and Tasted Okra Flowers? - Food 42

I believe that almost all of you have tasted Okra, but you might never see and tasted Okra flowers. 

Image 1- Okra flower, look pretty.

The flower looks trumpet-shaped with color of light yellow. Okra flowers have 5 petals with size of 4 to 8 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) in diameter.

They do self-fertilize which means the flowers no need pollinators for pollinating. In our area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the blooming in summer months since its warm season crop.

In the August month when temperature average is about 84* F (29* C), hence, a perfect time for Okra flowering. Okra flowers are edible, and could be mixed with soups, salads and other local dishes.

Image 2- Okra vegetable, sold in Walmart.

Okra flowers are known as a good source of vitamins such as vitamins A and C, and contains antioxidants to protect our body against damage from free radicals.

Image 3- The Okra flower, light yellow

Have you Seen and Tasted Okra Flowers?

# Previous postings:

- Crowned Heron Crawfishing Near Our Neighborhood – Part 1 – Nature 20

- What are Health Benefit of Eating Mango? - Part 1 – Health Life 19

- Rainbow Before Evening : Colorful Flowers in the Spring – Nature 21

- Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 2

- In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 5

The Leaf-footed Bugs on the Plant - Nature 89

We saw insects on the leaves of bell pepper plant. After first searching through Google, we doubt about the kinds of insects.

Image 1- The Leaf-footed bugs on the bell pepper plant.

We wonder whether they are the Leaf-footed bugs or assassin bugs. The Leaf-footed bug is a bad buck, while assassin is a good bug.

We did further research, then we believe that the bug is the Leaf-footed bug. This bug is found in many countries, especially in the tropic and sub tropic regions. They look like love warmer climates.

Actually, the bug is commonly found in the southern states of America like in our state, Louisiana, and there are about at least 90 species of leaf-footed bugs across America. So, no surprise that the bugs attack our plants are leaf-footed bugs.

Image 2- The leaf-footed bug Vs Assassin bug (credit to LSU Ag Center).

Leaf-footed bugs consume on variety of plant, just some of them are vegetables, nuts, ornamentals and fruits. If the bugs present in great numbers, then they may cause significant damage to the plants.

Image 3- Tomatoes and peppers, illustration

Have you ever seen the Leaf-footed bugs?

# 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.

- Crowned Heron Crawfishing Near Our Neighborhood – Part 1 – Nature 20

Storms in the Middle of Hot Summer - Nature 88

As you know, this hot summer may reach more than 100* F (38* C) in many places in the world. Unfortunately, summer is storms season too in our city.

Image 1 - The tree hit by storm at our areas.

We have experienced hit by several storms recently. We saw, there was a tree struck by wind, just few branches fell down.

However, other quick storms knocked down trees which brought down a slew of powerlines, then causing residents in the dark. 

Across our areas, outage effects on more than 2 thousand homes. Can you imagine darkness and no AC in the middle of higher temperatures?

Few stores around our neighborhood outage as well. Stores just accept cash, no credit or debit cards.

Image 2- Dark in one of Dolar General stores.

Moreover, actually, some storms brought much needed rain like several days ago. Our neighborhood got 1 to 1.5 inches of rain.

Image 3- The same tree, hit by wind.

How about in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : 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

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Can Alzheimer's Disease be Passing Down from Parent to Child? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 4

- Rainbow Evening : A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 2

Brain Plasticity and Care Offspring – Part 2 - Brain Plasticity 4

 You may read the previous postings (Part 1):
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Brain Plasticity and Care Offspring – Part 1 - Brain Plasticity 4

Image 1 - A bunny on the grass, a crochet

In mother side, lactation means increasing of Glucocorticoid levels. Glucocorticoid is a type of steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which has function to manage carbohydrates, fats and proteins level in the body. 

One of important functions of oxytocin is to make process of birth to be smooth by stimulation of urine muscle contraction. In social aspects, oxytocin is key hormone, since this hormone play role in social contact between parents and child.   

The ability of the brain to adapt to a new condition is an important factor to success in the parenting.

Image 2 - A bunny girl, just illustration

It is well known that parenthood caused major changes in parents in terms of identity, responsibility and roles. This period is called a stressful time with uncertainty at some points. Other factors such as characteristics of both parents and child should be considered as part of fundamental factors to be successful in parenting. 

Image 3- Three bunnies, ready to play

# Previous postings:

- How did Alzheimer find out the change in his patient's brain? - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 3

- Rainbow Evening : Attractive Yellow Flowers at the Corner – Part 1 – Nature 19

- Rainbow Evening : When the Georgian Chicken Came to My Kitchen – Part 1 – Food 12

- Rainbow Evening : May Smartphones Lead You Older Quickly? - Part 2 – Health Life 18

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 1

A goat entered the lawn - Nature 87

We have morning walk as usual, and we saw surprising an animal, a goat entered the lawn of our neighborhood. 

Image 1- A goat entered a lawn at a neighborhood.

Never before have seen a goat around our areas. One of our neighbors said that the goat comes from nearby areas.

The male goat has been caught by two men from city animal control, then the goat owner is identified and going to be notified where to pick it up.

Owner said the goat escaped into the canal when he transported several goats from his farm to nearby markets few days ago.

Actually, we just have two goat farms, few miles from our city, Baton Rouge, they are Clark Farms and Goat Lady Farm.

Image 2- Peony, just for illustration

We love goat cheese, yes, we can buy it in the Walmart groceries, but if we want the fresh goat cheese, we go to farmer market, every Saturday. The market also sells meat and milk with reasonable prices,

Image 3- Crochet, illustration only.

Do you like goat meat, milk, or cheese?

# 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

- How did Alzheimer find out the change in his patient's brain? - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 3

JJ

Strange that Purple Magnolia Blooming in the Summer - Nature 86

We know, our neighborhood Magnolia, both white and purple Magnolias were blooming in the cold weather, about January to February in our areas.

Fig 01- Buds of purple Magnolia

Surprisingly, we have observed that our neighborhood Magnolias are covered with buds. It is weird, Magnolia blooming in the very hot summer.

Some neighbors said, the Magnolia did bloom last summer, then blooming again in the spring, January or February.

However. too hot temperature caused leaves turn brown. We just watering it more, trying to save the flowers.

As you might know, in the hot weather, the trees go through transpiration process in which they lose too much water, then the leaves start to turn brown. 

Fig 02- The white Magnolia flower

The process of brown color begins from the tips, then progress to the middle of the leaves. Finally, the leaves fall down. 

Image 3- Purple Magnolias at the corner.

Have you experienced with this kind of strange things? 

# Previous postings:

- Reducing Number of Amazon River Pink Dolphin? - Part 2 – Nature 17

- Rainbow Evening : Biscotti and “The Blissful Feast” by Teresa Lust – Part 1 – Reading 9

- Rainbow Before Evening : Lord of the Ducks in the Garden – Part 1 – Nature 18

- Corned Beef Harsh - The Popular Breakfast in Louisiana – Part 2 – Food 11

- How did Alzheimer find out the change in his patient's brain? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 3

A Little Young Squirrel in her Nest - Nature 85

 We have experienced with babies' squirrel as we post previously:

-  The Rainbow Before Evening : The Four Weeks Old Baby Squirrel – Science 17

Image 1- Less than 10 weeks old squirrel

Just recently, we saw a little squirrel in her nest. She looks shy, and hiding in her nest when we approach her.

 

As we mentioned that in our state, Louisiana, squirrels have two breeding seasons that are around mid-December to February, and mid-June to August.

Hence, this little baby could be less than 10 weeks old, because after 10 weeks old, she would leave the nest.

At the age of 10 weeks or more, squirrels will be able to climb down and up the tress, so they be able to forage for foods in nature.

Image 2- The old tree, an artificial box

Interestingly, squirrels have their mate for life, however, in case their mate died, then they will find a new one.  A squirrel has average litters about 3 to 4 young.

Fig 03- A nest, and an old tree

Do you have an idea about young squirrels?

# 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

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Reducing Number of Amazon River Pink Dolphin? - Part 2 – Nature 17