Land Snail in the Garden – Critter 8

We often saw snails crawling in our garden. They are found on the surface of leaves or flowers to search for foods.

Fig 01- A snail crawling

This snail could damage plant’s leaves in our yards. Since herbivores, they also feed on:

- algae and fungi

- lichens

- and decaying vegetation

As reported by Russell L Minton and Kathryn E Perez (2015: systematic checklist of the land snail of Louisiana) that there are 141 species of land snails in our state, Louisiana.

Fig 02- Hibiscus flower in the garden

However, there are two important snails which believe responsible to “destruction” of our garden.

Fig 03- A snail is moving on

The two species are:

- Helix aspersa aspersa

- Helix aspersa maxima

They are common snails in the garden. Luckily, they are not poinous, and even not dangerous to touch or hold them. Some people in certain countries eat them as “escargot de bourgogne.”

Other species of brown garden snail such as Cornu aspersum also edible. This species spreads all over the world.

Do you know that garden snails are edible?

# Previous postings:

- Honey as a Local Product - Food Variety 12

- Our City in the Late Spring of 2021 - Gardening and Hobby 19

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Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 1

We live in an information-rich society; thus our society relies on the availability of a huge amount of information:

- everywhere

- and at any time.

Fig 01- Database world illustration 

(credit to slideplayer/slide/10964329/)

Information means data.

These data then manipulated by computer science to produce what we call as database.

These systems are virtually everywhere, from such as:

- cell phone to TV

- vending machine in train station

- barcode scanners in super-market.

Fig 02- Flowers in the garden

As suggested by AJ Graham (2016: How Are Databases Used in the Real World?) that using of database is date back in 1960s.

Fig 03- A dog in neighborhood, illustration

It is because many companies believed that use of computers became a more cost-effective option.

However, database models not that many on that time, few of them are a network model called CODASYL and a hierarchical model called IMS.

In CODASYL, data are organized into record and set at different types. Both record and set have names.

IMS model makes people organize data (business data) using program and device independently.

# To be continued to Part 2

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- Icy in my Neighborhood during Recently Snow Storm

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Firearms Free Zone – Sign 12

I never interest to own guns or any dangerous weapons for whatever reasons, hence, I don’t know about licenses or rules to have one.

Fig 01- Firearms free zone sign.

Just few weeks ago, I saw the sign at University lake of our city:

- Firearm free campus zone

I search through internet: what is it mean?

Louisiana State legislature imposed restriction to carry a firearm or a dangerous weapon.

The restrictions apply to three main areas:

1) Schools

2) Specific design areas

3) a firearm-free zone

Fig 02- Yellow daylily in the garden

In respect to schools or campus, the restrictions include in areas school property, school transportation, at school-sponsored functions (athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities) and within one thousand feet of any school campus.

Fig 03- Afternoon sky in our city

A firearm-free zone usually apply to areas near by schools or a campus. It is  reasonable that I found “a sign at University lake of our city.”

Fig 04- One of old buildings in our city

Who violated this rule, both students and non-students will face quite harsh sentences:

- shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars

- or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both.

This rule makes me more and more discourage to have firearms or dangerous weapons.

I don’t understand why “so easy” to access guns or dangerous weapons in the America!

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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