Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market

We saw plenty of rattan end products sold in the supermarkets at our city, Baton Rouge, LA recently.

Fig 01- End product of rattan

As you might know that rattan is like a bamboo, but solid material. Its can be twisted or model for many purposes.

After certain processing, rattan canes which is more durable and strength be used as material in a wicker weave.

Rattan plant is a vine like plant which grow well in tropical forests. There are about 600 species of rattan worldwide.

South East Asian countries are well known as rattan producers and play an important role in global trade.

Fig 02- Rattan table lamp, sold in Walmart

Fig 03- Rattan basket

Those South East countries include:

- Indonesia

- Philippine

- Myanmar

- Vietnam

- Malaysia.

The global trade of rattan and bamboo is estimated US$ 60 billion per year. The trade is between producers in South East Asia, and mainly to buyers in Europe.

Quite surprising to find plenty of rattan products in the USA Markets nowdays.

# Previous postings:

- Was there Virus Outbreak before Covid 19? - Virus 34

- The Origin of Cup Cake – Food Variety 8

- Virulence of Covid 19 Variants in Japan – Virus 35

- Why is Cat Vomiting Frequently? - Gardening and Hobby 18

Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1

When I was a student in Denmark in 1990’s, sure, I met students or people from other Scandinavian, and even from many foreign countries. No less than 20 countries as I can remember.

Fig 01- Sunlight, just for illustration

As you know the Scandinavian consist of following countries:

- Denmark
- Finland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Iceland

I did not notice “awkward behavior” called as “Finnish Nightmare.” The socially awkward was depicted in a webcomic by Karoliina Korhonen.

Fig 02- Polar bear, illustration only

Fig 03- Matti, the comic figure, feels awkward to sit to next other people

(credit to Karoliina Korhonen)

The webcomic was translated in Asian (far eastern) countries:

- China
- Japanese
- Korea (South Korea off course)

In Japan, the book got Gaiman award in 2017. The award is designed to make Japanese aware of the best comic outside Japan.

The award was given first time in 2011 and sponsored by 3 institutions in Japan: Meiji University, Kyoto International Mangga Museum and Kitayushu Museum.

# To be continued to part 2

## Previous postings:

- Late Harvest of Satsuma Orange in the Yard - Food Variety 7
- Why Canadian Geese Honking Mournfully? - Gardening and Hobby 16
- What are Ingredients in the Biontech-Pfizer Vaccine? – Virus 33
- Mini Sago Palm at the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 17

Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11

We found “Green Bridge” sign when we have a walk in one of our city parks called as an independent park.

What is the meaning of Green Bridge?

Fig 01- A Green Bridges sign

The Green Bridge is “a botanical garden” inside Independent Park. The park has 200 acres (81 hectares) site, includes 15 acre (6 hectare) areas for botanical garden.

The purpose of the bridge is to create safe passage for:

- plants

- and pollinators.

The plants and pollinators are assumed to “migrate” through the green bridge to incorporate with native plants and pollinators.

Fig 02- One of plants in the botanical garden

There are about 2,500 species of native plants in Louisiana, and 7 most important of them.

Fig 03- Butterfly painted on the vase

As you might know that there are 3 (three) most important pollinators in nature and distributed worldwide:

- Birds

- Bats

- Insects

Sure, we familiar and may be love with some insects such as butterfly and bees. Other crucial insects as pollinators:

- flies

- wasps and beetles

# Previous postings:

- Increasing of Abuse and Neglect Cats in the USA - Gardening and Hobby 14

- What is the Meaning of no Antibiotics Rotisserie Chicken? - Microorganisms 1

- The Christmas Light Decoration in Neighborhood - Gardening and Hobby 15

- When Will Kids Get a Covid 19 Vaccine? - Virus 32

Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only?

From previous posting (Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update), then we may have a question that is whether suicide based on individual decision only?

Fig 01- Links of suicide (Source from slideshare)

The answer to this question could be found in the book written by McIntyre (2011. p.29-33: The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology 5th edition).

The author described about suicide from sociology perspective. Suicide is not only triggered by individual decision, but also by lack of social integration or social solidarity.

Fig 02- Elderberry tree

In case of married couple that increasing of divorce rate could increase social isolation or feel lonely, thus unmarried persons more likely to die due to suicide. 

Fig 03- Rainbow in the evening

Then, in case of teenage girl’s suicide, the cause could be many factors or very complex.

Fig 04- Summer is coming

As said by Cornwell (2017: Suicide rate in teen girls reaches 40-year high) that some reasons for girls to suicide are over access to social media and an ongoing lack of mental-health resources.

It is need for parents, educators, communities, and relevant policy makers to address the stigma of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Sadly, suicide is immediate or eventual death accomplished by the victims themselves.

The suicide is at alarming rate in the USA. People with social impaired is the most vulnerable to commit suicide.

# Previous postings:

- Are Olive Fruits Good for Heart? - Heart 10

- Black Market of a Fake Covid 19 Test Result – Virus 30

- Special Mailboxes of Letters to Santa in Neighborhood

- Is AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine Suitable for Poor Countries? - Virus 31

We Have Seen Jumping Worms in Louisiana – Critter 7

As you might read or watch or listen about “jumping worms” in many mainstream medias that this invasive worm has spread to 34 states or more in the USA.

Fig 01- Jumping worm in the garden.

You probably know, the scary things of the worms that they could:

- consume soil, then turn the soil into ground coffee like

- exhausting soil nutrients

- making soil can’t hold water

If there are plenty of jumping worms, can you imagine what happen to your farms or garden?

Fig 02- We could find the worms in this kind of place

Fig 03- The worm in our area

The worms are believed come from East Asia, probably Japan and Korea. Worms came to America around 1900’s.

Yes, we have found this worm in our state, Louisiana. Worms invade other states as well, they include:

- Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin.

- Missouri, Illinois, Kansas.

- Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa.

- Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Indiana.

Have you seen this worm in your state or country?

# Previous postings:

- Have You Heard about Second Infection of Corona Virus? - Virus 28

- Are Raw Peanuts Good for Health? - Food Variety 6

- When Will be the First Shot of Covid 19 Vaccine? - Virus 29

- Plants Bundle in the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 13

Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock

You may read the bird called Guianan cock of the Rock at previous post (Part 1):

- Strange Looking Bird Called Guianan Cock of the Rock – Part 1

Fig 01- Male of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to eBird)

Guinean birds have social rank, the higher rank males are favored by females for mating.

Quite unique that higher rank males have learners (apprentices) from lower rank and younger males.

This is a kind of process to get opportunity to find mates.

Females usually have two eggs for one breeding season. The eggs need around 28 days for incubation.

Fig 02- Female of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to Flickr)

Fig 03- Chinese tallow tree, illustration

What are source food of this bird? Some are:

- fruits include berries

- insects

- small reptiles.

Luckily, this bird is not considered as endangered species. It is mean that population is stable.

Hope, there is no illegal or legal huntings, hence the population in nature will consistent in the long term.

Have you seen this bird in nature or in the zoo at your places or countries?

# Previous postings:

- Chemothesis - What a Kind of Covid 19 symptom? - Virus 26

- Is Spanish Moss Coming from Spain? – Gardening and Hobby 11

- Vaccine Efficacy Rate Increases from 90% to 94.5% - Virus 27

- Bonsai Trees Show in the City Garden – Gardening and Hobby 12

High Occupancy Vehicle Parking Only - Sign 10

 At previous post, we talked about parking for Low Emission Vehicles:

- Special Parking for Low Emission Vehicles - Sign 3

Just couple days ago, I saw another interesting parking sign: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Parking Only.

What its mean?

Fig 01- Sign for special parking only.

It is a sign which is plotted for vehicles with more than one passenger such as: - big cars

- buses (transit buses)

- big vans.

Two type of HOV parking signs:

1) HOV 2+

- means for 1 driver, and at least one passenger.

2) HOV 3+

- means for 1 driver, and at least two passengers, usually more.

Fig 02- Sky in the city corner, just for illustration

In addition to parking signs, there are also High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in roads and Highways.

Fig 03- Empty parking lot

Not all states uses HOV lanes in the USA. There are 21 states using this kind of lanes. Here they are:

- 1) Arizona; 2) California; 3) Colorado

- 4) Connecticut; 5) Florida; 6) Georgia

- 7) Hawaii; 8) Kansas; 9) Maryland

- 10) Massachusetts; 11) Minnesota; 12) New Jersey

- 13) New York; 14) North Carolina; 15) Ohio; 16) Pennsylvania; 17) Tennesse

-18) Texas; 19) Utah; 20) Virginia; 21) Washington

How about with your places or states or your countries?

# Previous postings:

- Do You Like to Grill Fish? - Food Variety 4

- Cleaning the Roof as a House Routine Maintaining – Gardening and Hobby 10

- Do Women Heart Beats more than Men? - Heart 9

- Do You Know a Prickly Cactus Pear? - Food Variety 5