Hurricane Ida Debris Piles in the Neighborhood

Fig 01- Debris on roadside and grass

As you might know that Hurricane Ida just hit Louisiana about 11 days ago, then travel to several states in the USA.

In addition to our state, other states hit by Ida include:

- Mississippi

- Alabama

- Pennsylvania

- New Jersey

- New York

Economic lost was estimated about US$ 95 billion due to this hurricane, and recorded as one of costliest hurricanes in the USA.

Death toll was estimated at least 60 people, and might be rises after counting process is finished.

Our neighborhood in Baton Rouge, LA was hit hard by this hurricane. Leaves and branches scattered everywhere.

Fig 02- A tree fall down

Fig 03- Branches and leaves scatter on the road

Fig 04- A falling tree and branches in the neighborhood.

Neighbors did do hard work to collect debris, then pile its on the:

- sides of curb (drainage)

- grass

- yard

No, we can not put our debris on the street, it is because debris will block traffics, and in many cases can cause damage to passing cars.

Unfortunately, we didn’t know when trucks will pick our debris, it will leave dead grass patches.

Hope, everything goes well in coming days.

# Previous postings:

- How to Know Someone Infected by Wuhan Virus? - Virus 1

- Is there Affordable Kit to Detect Corona Virus? - Virus 2

- Older, Men and Preexisting conditions are Vulnerable to Covid-19 – Virus 3

- When Will Vaccine for Covid-19 Available? - Virus 4

- Homemade Face Masks to Combat Spread of Covid-19 – Virus 5 

What is a Fiber Painting or Fiber Art? - Art 2

Fig 01- A beautiful bird with crown.

I just saw from a distance that there is “paintings” exhibition in the library. When I approach, a notice said: “An exhibition of mixed media fiber art.”

What? What is Fiber Painting or Fiber Art Means?

I know about fiber arts and watch about it several times in the TV, but I never see in personal of fiber painting.

I tried to search in google about fiber art and fiber painting. I got some information about a fiber, fiber art and fiber painting.

Two type of fibers, natural and man made fibers. Most known natural fibers are:

- Linen

- Cotton

- Wool

- Silk

Fiber art is fine art which utilized fiber (either natural or man made) to form any kinds of arts.

Fig 02- Several types of guitars

Fiber painting is painting which using techniques of sewing, weaving, stitching, dyeing and other traditional techniques to create any style of painting.

Fig 03- Diving activities

Some examples of synthetic fibers are following:

- Spandex

- Acrylic

- Polyester

- Nylon

- Rayon

- Polyethylene

Fig 04- Several fiber paintings are hanging on the wall

The base materials for fiber paintings could be laces, trim, threads and yard. The results like other painting, then, hanging on the wall.

I think fiber paintings are great, no different with painting as I know. They are so beautiful. Highly aesthetic values.

Like other paintings, fiber paintings have style too. They are grouped based on such as concepts, medium and techniques.

This kind of painting is getting broader audiences recently, because this art form are:

- Easy to understand

- Using familiar stuffs

- Techniques are moderate, not difficult

Do you know about “fiber painting?”

Have You Tried Jalapeno Cheese Poppers? - Food Variety 14

Fig 01- Jalapeno chili, sold in many groceries.

You might know Jalapeno, Capsicum annuum, quite hot spicy for me, but medium compared to other chilies for many people.

Some hotter chilies than Jalapeno:

- Serrano
- Red Habanero
- Cayenne peppers

Almost all groceries across USA sell Jalapeno with reasonable price

I always see this pepper and used it for cooking while peppers in green color.

They could turn red when ripen. Both red and green can be eaten.

The red is less spicy and grassy.

Sure, Jalapeno has several health benefits, the most important one that Jalapeno may be used for migraine relief due to it contains the capsaicin.

Other health benefits are anti inflammatory, improve our immune system and improve our nervous system.

Research has been done to use Jalapeno as an anti cancer drug.

Fig 02- Spicy vegetable for illustration

Fig 03- Jalapeno cheese poppers

We just went to a grocery, and the first time, we noticed a Jalapeno Cheese Popper.

We bought several of poppers to try their taste.

Since I like cheese, the taste of poppers is not bad, a quite delicious.

It seems that chef uses cheddar cheese inside poppers. I think the cheddar cheese is quite sharper.

Fine shred of cheddar was fit in the hallow of a half jalapeno chili, and then insert inside popper. Cheese makes smell delicious.

Have you tried Jalapeno Cheese Poppers?

Could Consume Mushroom Reduce Cancer Risk?

Fig 01- Simple Cooked mushroom ready to consume

Mushroom is one of luxury foods in some developing countries, because its supply depend on nature.

Yes, many of them have picked mushroom from areas such as:

- forest

- rice fields

- yards

- farming areas

Here, in America, We may find mushroom in almost groceries with reasonable price.

USA is included as one of the top world’s mushroom producers. Top 4 world producers are:

- China (5.1 million metric ton)

- Italy (785 thousand metric ton)

- USA (388 thousand metric ton)

- Netherland (307 thousand metric ton)

Fig 02- Sliced mushroom in the small plate

Fig 03- Fresh mushroom in the bowl

Fig 04- Enoki is one of mushroom variety

Good news that If you mushroom lover, then you have lower risk to get cancer diseases.

As reported by Penn State News (written by Tracy cox, April 21, 2021) that who consume mushroom daily could reduce their cancer risk by about 45%.

The conclusion is made by Pennsylvania State University, after observing the following data:

- 17 cancer studies from 1966 to 2020.

- 19,500 cancer patients.

How often do you consume mushroom?

Daily, weekly or monthly?

Wild Berries Grow Well in Our Backyard - Food Variety 13

Fig 01- A single wild red berry

At least, we have 3 kinds of wild berries grow well and produce fruit in our backyard every year:

- two red berries
- one is blackberry.

One of red is ground berry, another red berry climbs the fences.

All of three photos in this post are ground red berries, presumably has a scientific name Rubus sp.

The size and form (shape) as small as blackberry.

My ground wild red berry has no taste (fairly to say is tasteless).

Some people said, the berry is good for jam, jelly and alcohol drink.

It is believed the wild red berry contains manganese and have a lot of health benefits. Some of them are:

- good for bone health
- metabolism improvement
- has antioxidant effects.

Fig 02- Three wild red berries

Fig 03- Two wild red berries on the ground

The berry also rich in vitamins C and K. Vitamin C is needed for repairmen and development of our body tissues.

We might know that Vitamin C could improve the immune system too.

Moreover, the Vitamin that makes protein for “normal blood clotting” and healthy bones (together with manganese) is Vitamin K.

This vitamin is an essential vitamin for wound healing.

What kind of wild berries do you know?

Are there Non Royal Statues Surrounding the Pyramid? - Art 1

Fig 01- Non royal family of ancient Egypt

(Credit to The Met).

I thought that statues represented to rulers, their families and important people close to them in ancient era.

My thought is wrong when I read several literatures.

The non royal statues, namely “Memi and Sabu” were found in the non royal cemeteries surrounding the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) at Giza. 

The statues came from dynasty IV or dynasty 4 lasted from around 2613 to 2494 BC. A dynasty characterized as a "golden age" of the Old Kingdom. 

It was a time of peace and prosperity, as reported by The Met (2000-2016_b) that in respect to culture, this era was flowering with non royal statuary. 

In term of statue medium; Memi and Sabu is made of limestone and paint, Alkhalifa (2014) suggested that limestone is a common resource. 

In addition to small size of statue, hence, makes it safe to assume that the sculpture was not intended for an extremely wealthy individual.

Social status of Statues was distinguished by medium of stones and clothes they wear.

Fig 02- Deer statues, just for illustration

Fig 03- A house, just for illustration

However, they depicted as a simple human being. Memi is a husband that gives warm embrace to his wife, Sabu.

In contrast, statues of rulers, heroes or very important people were made of diorite, a rock composed principally of the silicate minerals, and depicted with their hands folded in a traditional gesture of greeting and prayer.

Do you know about statues and their social status?

References

Alkhalifa, M. 2014. Visual Analysis of a work of art or design in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from Metropolitan Museum.

The Met. 2000-2016_b. The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu. Retrieved from Metropolitan Museum.

100% of Gibraltar Adult Population had been Vaccinated – Virus 38

Fig 01- Mountain and sky view. Illustration only

Yes, Gibraltar is a small territory in respect to size and population. But, there are about 10 million tourist visit this British Overseas Territory per year.

In addition to tourism industry, Gibraltar economics depends very much on resources of:

- bank and finance
- ship repairing
- online gaming
- tobacco

Hence, even single cases of Covid 19 in tourist destinations, they will hesitate to visit to those areas.

Indeed, tourism and service industries almost collapse in Gibraltar during pandemic:

- declining visitors
- empty duty free shops, restaurants and hotels

What a Gibraltar government did?   

Fig 02- Crowd without face masks recently 

(credit to SLATE/ Getty Images)

Fig 03- White magnolia flower

Gibraltar government vaccinated the cititizens, since small population just about 35,000 and no “anti-vaccine (anti vaxxer)” movement:
- all adult population had been vaccinated quickly.

The results?

Zero new cases and death of Covid 19.

People start to socialize without masks anymore, like before pandemic:

- crowd in the streets
- shop and market are visited by many people.
- economics seem move on, even not in full speed yet.

The most important thing that it is proven fact:
- higher rate of vaccinated population, then will lead to lower cases of infection and death.