May 25th, 2012
Posted by F&S
Spring is such a wonderful time because whenever we venture outdoors, there’s just so much that’s new to discover. Right outside the kitchen we noticed that the allium and the chives are blooming and how similar they are to one another and here’s what we can tell you about that.
1 Sharkey, it's such a beautiful day! Even though I still have one eyelid sewn shut, I can clearly see more color appearing on the farm as May draws to a close!
2 For example, the allium on the terrace are beginning to bloom away!
3 You're right, Francesca! These flowers are in the process of opening and will eventually become twice this size!
4 DId you know that the name, allium, comes from the Latin word for garlic? They are actually part of the onion family along with garlic and leeks!
5 And, growing nearby in the terrace herb garden are similar looking blooms. These are the flowers of chive plants, which are also a part of the onion family.
6 Chive and allium are very similar in color and shape. These chive flowers will also be beautiful round spheres when fully opened.
7 Chives are the smallest edible plant of the onion family and both their stems and flowers can be used as a flavoring or garnish. The flowers are a very pretty addition to salads.
8 It's important to know that this species is an ornamental variety, but other allium flowers, chives included, are completely edible.
9 I have heard that gardeners often plant chives and other types of allium in their flower beds to ward off pests like Japanese beetles and aphids!
10 And because onions are related to garlic, they have similar medicinal properties, as well! People have turned to garlic to boost their immune systems for centuries.
11 However, you and I, Francesca, better keep them out of our mouths. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs!
Posted on May 25th, 2012 in Favorite Things, Housemates, Out & About, Photo Galleries | direct link to this entry |
May 23rd, 2012
Posted by Pia
Welcome to Lecture 2...
You can relax as we will not be having a quiz today. Please turn your attention to the 'Paw Point' Presentation below for more examples of the companion animal approach to teaching their humans...
1 They look up to us and value our acceptance
2 They walk with us and leave pawprints on our hearts
3 They lay close and listen when we need to vent.
4 They trust us and remind us to be gentle
5 They meet us where we are at any given moment
6 They wag often, reminding us to derive pleasure from the little things in life.
7 They take time to sniff the air and feel the wind in their hair...
8 They embrace our care and nurturing
9 They watch out for our safety and await our return
10 They demonstrate remarkable resilience and teach us to look within ourselves for strength- rather than to the often misinformed and limiting perspectives of onlookers.
Photo by Richard Phibbs
11 They remind us to respect nature and keep our yards and gardens well irrigated.
12 They are astute therapists and offer no frills advice as needed.
13 They foster peace and compassion
Please be sure to email me your first essay assignments by class time next week (pia@drpiasalk.com). Details can be found on the syllabus but as a reminder, the assignment invites you to share your own reflections on lessons you have learned from animals you have encountered in your own lives respectively.
All assignments are expected to adhere to canine peer-review journal format guidelines and as such, they are to be authored in the voice of the animal from whom you learned the lessons presented in your paper.
Class dismissed
In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk
Tags: animal welfare comedy, Pia Salk
Posted on May 23rd, 2012 in Adoption, Favorite Things | direct link to this entry |
May 23rd, 2012
Posted by Francesca
Yes, Sharkey and I are still recovering and G.K. is feeling so much better from the Lyme disease. Sharkey’s dewclaw was healing nicely, but she went ahead and snagged another nail, which needed to be bandaged, as well. Cone collar for her again! Many of you commented why I was wearing a leash and the reason is so that I won’t run off and bump my eye. It’s still sewn shut for another week or so. We haven’t been able to take any new photos because it’s been raining a lot and it’s hard to get around. However, Sharkey and I found these in our archive and thought we’d share.
1 While I'm still recovering from my eye surgury, let me tell you about some new friends that Sharkey, G.K., and I met a few weeks ago before all of our troubles began.
2 While riding with Uncle Carlos, we heard someone shouting through a megaphone and Carlos pulled over to see what all the commotion was about.
3 Francesca! Look, it's a lemonade stand! Let's buy a cup!
4 I don't know...what's in it? It looks like pink lemonade...is it made with pink lemons?
5 You can put down the megaphone, buddy! I'm right here next to you! I just want to know a bit more about the lemonade before I buy some! Is it made with organic ingredients?
6 Francesca! Stop being so uptight! It's just a little lemonade!
7 See? I'm enjoying it! Don't be rude! Make some friends! These kids are nice!
8 Franceca, these new friends are Seun, Chloe, Jackson, Gianne, and Oliver. They live on Uncle Carlos's block!
9 Hmmm, well it's good to know you. I suppose that any friend of Carlos is a friend of ours! And yes, I will take a cup of your lemonade! Thank you!
Posted on May 23rd, 2012 in Favorite Things, Friends, Housemates, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Travel | direct link to this entry |
