The Butterfly Garden in the City - Sign 52

Friday, September 8, 2023
Butterfly garden is one of the sections within our city garden. We saw some plants that could attract butterfly in this section.


Fig 01- The sign of butterfly garden

The plants include milkweed, zinnia, lantana, verbena, aster and hibiscus. Milkweed is important for Monarch butterfly.

Interestingly, the milkweed is the only plant that can be eaten by monarch caterpillars in nature. 

The plant contains toxic that make caterpillars to be poisonous to predators (birds, spiders, wasps and lizards). 

Milkweed plants produce high energy nectar, good for adult butterfly. In addition to high sugar, the milkweed nectar also contains high potassium.


Fig 02- One of the butterflies in the garden.

Unfortunately, the milkweed populations are declining in recently, hence, to be one of the main menaces to monarch butterflies. Declining of population is due to herbicide use and habitat loss.


Fig 03- Part of the city garden

How many are butterfly garden in your city?

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The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 2 – Food Variety 34

Tuesday, September 5, 2023
You may read previous (Part 1) post:


Fig 01- The Beef Tamale, sold in Walmart

The Tamale is a delicious dish with tastes of sweety, salty or spicy, made of “a corn based dog” with mixture of various stuffs such as: various meats (chicken), beans, dried fruits, olive, cheese, vegetables (carrots and peppers).

When eating Tamale, we remove the wrap first, either we throw it or used it as a plate. We may eat with:
- guacamole
- rice
- pico de gallo

As you might know that Guacamole is a kind of dip. made by mashing of avocados with other ingredients include chili peppers, lime juice, salt, tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

Have you tried a Tamale? Or which one Mexican food does you like?

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The Barred Owl just Visit our Fence - Critter 51

Monday, September 4, 2023
We saw a barred owl sitting in the birdbath this evening, then the bird flew to the fence about 5 feet away and sitting there.


Fig 01- A barred owl sitting on the fence.

We wonder how long the predator will stay there, and it didn’t seem perturbed at all by we are talking to it.

The young squirrels didn’t seem too afraid of it either, since squirrels are included in barred owl's diet.

Actually, barred owls consume a variety of prey, some of them are rabbits, opossums, mice and voles.

Yes, they mainly eat small mammals, it is because small mammals are easy to catch and quite abundant.


Fig 02- A barred owl, turns its head.

However, the barred owls are nocturnal predators, they active in daylight could be weather conditions. Higher temperature which reaches more than 40* C (104* F) makes them try to find out water.


Fig 03- Just standing on the fence.

Have you seen barred owl on daylight?

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The Trashcan Fix or Replacement in our Areas - Sign 51

Friday, September 1, 2023
 When we are jogging, we just saw a trashcan with a sign which need to be repaired or replaced. The sign has quite attractive words, make us smile.


Fig 01- A trashcan, need to be fixed or replaced.

The words: "for the love of God. Please fix this trashcan." Actually, we have similar problem several years ago.

On that time, the garbage truck caused the damage, then, we called the city (311) multiple times.

As requested by the city, we put the damaged trashcan at the end of the driveway. Our address, home number is very visible from the street.

Unbelievable, the 3rd party contractor that repairs/replaces the trash can keeps going to the wrong house and has admitted they went to the wrong house.


Fig 02- Flowering, just illustration.

Finally, it had been replaced after almost 3 weeks. It’s getting ridiculous, especially for the amount of money we are charged.


Fig 03- A flowerbed, illustration only

Have you ever had a similar experience?

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Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 2 – Food Variety 32

Wednesday, August 30, 2023
 You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 1 – Food Variety 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update 



Fig01- Cage free eggs packed


In addition, cage free hens live in housing system are able to stretch their wings, run around and lay eggs in the nest.  Thus, hens are able to express their natural behaviors compared to hens in battery cages


However, they might not access to outdoor, few of cage free systems let hens to play outside. 


The main reason the hens are not allowed to go outdoor that it is difficult to control predators. As you know, the foxes and coyotes are predators live around cage free system. 



Fig 02- A hen plays outside in the morning


In term of price, sure, cage free eggs much more expensive than confined hen’s eggs. The price could be double or more. I found US$ 2.26 for 12 regular eggs, while 12 cage free eggs are US$ 3.96. 



Fig 03- Two hens at a small farm.


Have you tried cage free eggs?  What do you think?


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The Lightscape Design - Gardening and Hobby 42

Monday, August 28, 2023
I am not so familiar with the words of "The Lightscape Design," then try to find out from several resources.


Fig 01- Light around trees as part of the lightscape design

It is kind of art in using of lighting to enhance the landscape in terms of the beauty and functionality.

Lightscape design can be used to highlight such inviting space, sense of atmosphere and architectural features.

As inviting space, lighting may highlight patios, walkways and other areas like area people together.

An example of a sense of atmosphere that soft and diffused light can create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere. 


Fig 02- Lightscape in the architecture.

By highlighting arches, columns, arches and other architectural elements with spotlights, then we use light to highlight features of architectures.


Fig 03- Lightscape of the architecture and yard.

Do you like to play with lights?

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Don’t Give Money to People in the Roadway - Sign 50

Saturday, August 26, 2023
We have seen the signs "Don’t Give Money to Persons in the Roadway" in some exit of interstates or road junctions around our city.


Fig 01- Sign of don't give to persons.

The sign could be mean that "they are panhandling for money, to buy more drugs." so, don’t be a part of their problem.

We used to give money because we didn't understand then when we realized what we were doing we started giving water bottles and baggies of small items.

We got rude comments from many panhandlers. So now we don't give anything but it's hard to sit there and ignore them now.

Actually, there are organizations that give care packages of food out and would you like to know what happens to a large portion of them?


Fig 02 - A beggar on the street

Sadly, the packages of food end up wasted on the side of the road or abandoned properties. The food that is given out is almost 100% not consumed.


Fig 03 - Hibiscus flowers, illustration only

What do you think?

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