Two States of USA are Legal for Texting and Driving – Sign 20

I thought all 50 states of America ban or illegal to do texting and driving, but my guessed is pretty wrong.

Fig 01- Sign to “park your phone” while driving.

I just understand after searching through Google that 48 of 50 states have laws to ban text messaging and driving.

This ban also include in District of Columbia (D.C, US capital, Washington) area and other US territories:

- Guam

- the U.S. Virgin Islands

- Puerto Rico

So, we might be wonder: what are two states “allowing” texting while driving?

Fig 02- Traffic in our area

Fig 03- Road in the early morning

Two states that “allowing” texting and driving are:

- Missouri

- Montana

However, in case of Missouri, there is “prohibition” for texting and driving at certain ages: drivers at 21 years old or younger. If caught by polices, they will get US$ 200 penalty.

Hence, Montana is the only state in the USA which has no laws to ban or prohibit texting and driving

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- What Effect of Diversity Patrons on the Arts in the 15th-18th centuries? - part 2

- What is the Meaning of Cheaper Cities in the USA? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Some American Customs are not Apply in Other Countries – part 1 | Tanza

- Can Blood Sugar Hold at Normal Level Without Medication? - Diabetes 12

Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 25

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Flowers in shaded areas

In addition to common colors such as red, yellow, white and purple, we may find other colors that are:

- blue

- pink

- white

- cream

- lavender

- orange

Fig 02- A plant, just illustration

The flowers are blooming during summer in the USA, and many varieties are used for cut flowers.

Fig 03- Blooming of Freesia

Live duration for cut flower is depended on colors, they could reach more than 3 weeks in vases for certain colors such as: blue, white and yellow. It is said that white and yellow is longer life span than other Freesia colors.

Just for comparison that flower called Laceleaf (Anthurium) may reach 42 days (6 weeks) in the vases.

Chrysanthemum flowers may reach 28 days (4 weeks) as a cut flower. Other flowers just less 28 days life span in the vases.

What color of Freesia flowers do you like?

What kind of smell do you love?

# Previous postings:

- How to Keep our Memory to Work until 90 Years old? - Part 2 | Tanza

- Had USA Provided Bomb Sniffing Dogs to other Countries? | Tanza Erlambang

- Could Green Tea Improve Insulin Sensitivity? - Diabetes 11 | Tanza Erlambang

- Extinction of Rhinoceros in Borneo Island Indonesia | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Blonde Squirrel at Our Backyard – Critter 16

I never seen other than gray or “red brown” or brown squirrels at our backyard or neighborhoods. Commonly is brown fur.

Fig 01- A blonde squirrel climbs tree

In fact, there are only two species of squirrels in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they are:

- gray squirrel with scientific name Sciurus carolinensis.

- and fox squirrels, Sciurus niger.

Gray refers its color, gray or grey. Fox squirrel has “red brown” or brown fur. The brown might combine with white or black on nose and head.

So, what is species of blonde squirrel?

Fig 02- Myrtle trees at a corner

Fig 03- A fox squirrel at city park

I searched through internet, the result that this kind of “blonde” squirrel was found in some places such as in:

- North Central Austin, Texas

- Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan

Since our city, and even state has only two species of squirrel, so, blonde squirrel is not new species, no.

It is highly possibility that it is a new breed of mutant squirrel. The squirrels might be lack of some pigments.

Have you seen blonde or albino squirrels in nature?

# Previous postings:

- How to Keep our Memory to Work until Age 90? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

- Is there Relationship between Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 10

- Is it Norm to Hire Underage Workers in Developing Countries? - part 2 | Tanza

Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 2 – Food Variety 21

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Tofu curry, one of popular dishes

Tofu is not bad choice for many people, include me, since it has high nutrition values such as:

- protein

- fiber

- vitamins

- minerals

How is Tofu processed from soybeans?

Fig 02- Fried Tofu, ready to consume

This food is actually fermented food, the making process is similar to cheese. The differences are:

- tofu was fermented from soy milk (made from soybeans).

- cheese from milks of cows, goats or other mammals.

Fig 03- Tofu with dice slices

In addition to nutrition riches, Tofu contains:

- no cholesterol

- gluten free

- lower saturated fat

- lower calories

Since getting popular, tofu is a billion dollar industry now. Both in the USA and world markets.

Do you know tofu?

Have you tasted it?

# Previous postings:

- Can Immortal Jellyfish Defy Death? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Reading Books Every Day Make Live Longer? | Tanza Erlambang

- Is a Thermal Camera Sold in Market? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Diabetic Ketone-acidosis Lead to Death? - Diabetes 9 | Tanza Erlambang

Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19

I have posted one of signs in our city park. The sign was about “green bridges.” You may read the previous post:

- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Sign of Herb society

The park hosted herbs and plants show from Herb Society of America, Baton Rouge Unit, just recently.

As you might know that the herb society is nonprofit organization. The Baton Rouge unit has missions to promote herb in terms of:

- knowledge

- use

- sharing experiences

- educational and research

Fig 02- Gingers, use for medical and cooking purposes

Fig 03- Several kinds of Herbs for sale

The herb society displays and sell plenty of herb and plants for many purposes include in:

- cooking

- medicine

- beauty products

- and many others

We love ginger as seasoning for our traditional cooking. Some of our friends use ginger for medicines to reduce headaches, flu, nausea and many others.

Have you use herbs for any purposes?

# Previous postings:

- Whale Shark is Observed after Disappearing for 100 years

- What Indexes should be Considered to Find Retirement Countries? - part 1

- Why Sugary Drinks Cause of Heart Diseases? – Heart 2

- What Indexes should be Considered to Find Retirement Countries? - part 2

May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 1 - Heart 8

All of us might taste coffee at least few times in our lives, could be during teenager or young age, just for curious.

Fig 01- Local coffee shop at our city

Who drinks a cup or more of coffee daily may not know the advantages of this beverage.

It seems most of us aware the negative effect of caffeine content in coffee. In great amount, let’s say more than 600 mg or 6 cup per day, caffeine causes:

- higher rate heart beats

- inability to sleep (insomnia)

- anxiety, stomach upset and urination frequently.

- nervousness and higher blood pressure.

Fig 02- Employee at a local coffee shop

Fig 03- A cup of black coffee for illustration

However, in addition to joyful, there are plenty of benefits to drink coffee at proper or moderate intake every day.

Low or proper or moderate intake of caffeine from drink coffee as suggested by Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

- about 400 mg of caffeine per day

- or 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day

What the positive effect on drinking coffee everyday?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- How does Insulin Work in our Body? - Diabetes 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Ancient Egyptian Mummified Million Birds? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why We are not be Rich Persons? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What is the Meaning of Insulin Resistance? - Diabetes 15 | Tanza Erlambang

Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1

When I was kid, I knew the word of “hibernation” refer to “sleep” during cold (winter) season.

Fig 01- Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Bdelloid rotifer

(credit to Steve Gschmeissner).

On that time, I just knew a bear as a perfect example of animal to do hibernation in short times, not years.

Actually, many other animals do hibernate in addition to bear, just few of them are:

- ground squirrels

- bats

- snakes

- turtles

Fig 02- Snake come to our neighbor home

Fig 03- Squirrel at backyard. Ground squirrel may hibernate.

In fact, due to many factors such as sudden changes in temperature and less food sources, animal (physiological) reacts by: lower heart rate, set down body temperature and relax metabolism

Recently, scientists found a bdelloid rotifer which had been slept for 24,000 (twenty thousand) years in Arctic, Russia. Very long sleep.

This multicellular organism (very small size, can’t be seen by naked eyes). The size is about 500 micron (0.5 mm).

What is surprising?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Is Cyber Monday better Deal than Black Friday? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Cities Have the Highest Dog Parks Per Capita? | Tanza Erlambang

- What is the Irregular Heartbeats? - Heart 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Cities are Easy to Get Mortgage? | Tanza Erlambang Update