2018 A - Z Challenge - O

O     Things We Appreciate

Although National Orchid Day actually fell on N Day, I’m using it today as an excuse to unabashedly brag that I have managed to bring two lovely Orchid flowers to bloom! Since a couple of well-meaning horticulture connoisseurs were less than Optimistic in my ability to accomplish this, I am Overjoyed! 

Right about now there will be flowers beginning to bloom (for only one night before closing next morning, mid-day) in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which encompasses a 517-mile area of both southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Named for their resemblance to pipe organs, these spiny giants can grow to 20ft high with a base as broad as 12ft. and also produce fruit which is said to be sweeter than watermelon and can be eaten as is (once spines are removed, of course) made into jelly, or fermented for beverages.

Known by many other names such as Coachwhip, Candlewood, and Jacob’s Staff, the Ocotillo has much to offer by way of uses, including living fencing and walking sticks. In addition, its crimson flowers make a tangy salad garnish - or can cauterize a wound, according to Native Americans who’ve long subscribed to the medicinal uses of its bark as well.

Great Northern Owl

And onward, deep in the darkness of a pre-summer night, the desert is a lively place well until the old moon takes a bow, and Owls are but a few of the prowlers. Optimizing their natural attributes in night- vision and hearing, Owls put unsuspecting prey quite at risk as a soft second layer of wing feathers allows them to strike without sound. 

In addition to pot-holders, what kitchen would be complete without an Oven Mitt? I consider it a bonus that they are made to be used with either hand ;-)

French Oak may have revolutionized the usage of the barrel for California vintners, but it’s nothing but the best, new (due to the many years spent aging) white Oak Barrels for “America’s only native spirit,” Kentucky Bourbon.

In closing, is there anything more acceptable than Omissible words when you’re already over your limit? ;-)

 

 Happy O Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter O?

2018 A Z Challenge - K

K    Things We Appreciate

Kaibab Squirrel – Exclusive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, and strictly protected by State and Federal government, these distinctive-looking critters (a sub-species of the Albert’s squirrel) complete a trio of uniquely substantive survival components within their natural habitat of Ponderosa Pines, and the fungi that grows beneath; which becomes part of the root system. After happily feasting on the food the trees provide, the squirrel then scampers off, dispersing the fungi collected on its feet, through the forest so that more and more trees will grow. This process is repeated year after year in a 20 X 40-mile area. 

Kingsnakes – Appearances aside, the name “King” tells us that this reptile can and does eat other snakes – including rattlesnakes. This is something I very much appreciate ;-)  Kingsnakes cover the widest geographical range of any land snake and (believe it or not) are considered among the most beautiful snakes in the world for the array of polished colors they display. Some even look like the venomous Coral snake, but if you’re ever in doubt here’s a couple of saws to help you out:  “If red touches black, you’re okay, Jack” and “If red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow.”

"Big Room" Kartchner Caverns

Kartchner Caverns is a massive living limestone cave featuring 13,000 feet of passages and two ‘rooms’ as large as football fields containing both live and ancient inhabitants such as bats, Soda Straws, Stalactites, and Moonmilk. Kept a secret for 14 years after its discovery, the caverns were carefully secured for preservation and future maintenance of the stunning and still-growing formations before being publicly presented as a Tour Cave. It is indeed an awesome tour ;-)

Sir David Brewster stumbled upon what became a brilliant parlor diversion in 1816 when, after observing color and pattern changes at the end of two mirrors, he invented the Kaleidoscope.

It seems that no one really knows who invented Kettle Corn, but I’m sure glad they did!

Knees are another thing I appreciate because, as my dear friend Mrs. Mildew puts it, “They’re terribly indispensable.” ;-)

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter K?

Friends of the Famous - Z

ReneeZellweger was still in college and intending to bring home a cat from the local shelter when a collie-golden retriever mix bounded from within a jumble of kittens and puppies to rest his little head on her foot. The dog basically named himself, she says of Dylan, by preferring to take his puppy-naps on the face of Bob Dylan, featured on a Rolling Stone magazine cover.  Later, with no formal dance or voice training, Zellweger learned what she needed to know for the stage production of Chicago during ten months of rigorous training and by watching her co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones, who by the way, has her own furry sidekick (a Coton de Tulear) named Figaro, who likes things his way. For instance, a ramp is brought in because ‘Figgy’ refuses to climb stairs and an impetuous spirit once prompted him to bark during one of Zeta-Jones’ performances of “Bring in The Clowns”! 

After a little more than two years training together, Marine Cpl. Jose Armenta and a German shepherd service dog named Zenit served in Afghanistan. As a team they worked ahead of their troops, identifying IED’s – except for the one Jose stepped on.  Waking up back in the states, Jose was dismayed to find that Zenit had been given another handler and re-deployed. While many wounded soldiers seek separation and closure, Jose felt incomplete.  Between many surgeries and throughout a lengthy recovery, Jose filed paperwork and petitions necessary for the retrieval of his canine friend.  When at last Jose picked Zenit up at the base, a three hour drive from home, the dog had no problem recognizing Jose in his wheelchair and drenched him with wet kisses.

In case you’ve ever wondered how a Zoo doctor’s day might go, Denise Rodgers has a few thoughts:

The Elephant Has a Bad Earache
The elephant has a bad earache.
The centipede stubbed all his toes.
The giraffe has developed a nasty sore throat
and the rhino can't breathe through his nose.

The mockingbird has an unclear ache.
The lion's so hoarse he can't roar.
The hog cannot eat, as his tummy's upset
and the parrot can't talk anymore.

The doe has a pain in the deer ache.
Just what should the beast doctor do?
The duck is so sick she can't possibly float.
It's a really bad day at the zoo.
by Denise Rodgers

Has a pet ever embarrassed you? Would you have kept Zenit too? When is the last time you visited a Zoo?

A to Z complete - Yay!

Thanks, everyone!

Friends of the Famous - Y

Accustomed to accolades and adoration, new age composer and performer Yanni was presented the most extraordinary gift of a panda, given to him in gratitude by the country of China.  The honor of performing in the Forbidden City required first meeting personally with the Chinese Minister of Culture; which evidently went smoothly as the show indeed went on and the Chinese now teach their children Yanni’s music.  Although Yanni promptly named the animal Santorini, after the “most beautiful island in Greece” (his native homeland), Yanni explains that the female panda is not kept at his home but at an exclusive reserve in China, for she is an endangered animal. 

In 2011 a golden retriever named Yogi was awarded Valor Dog of the Year by the United States Humane Society for saving his owner Paul Horton’s life after a mountain bike accident.  Regaining consciousness but immobile, Horton talked a reluctant Yogi into leaving his side to go for help, which the outstanding dog did; resulting in his Horton’s subsequent rescue. 

Established as the world’s first national park in 1872 (although the National Park Service (NPS) wasn’t created until 1916), Yellowstone National Park remains a treasured sanctuary of ancient richness in both nature and cultural diversity through careful planning and thoughtful management, unforeseen disasters notwithstanding.  After a geological survey in 1871, Ferdinand Hayden expressed the importance of allowing the area to remain “as free as the air or water” offering little thought to the welfare of the prolific wildlife population, a subject which would come to an alarming forefront when elk were being poached out of existence and hungry bears turned their attention to park visitors.  Once the NPS had that under control it wasn’t until the ‘Summer of Fire’ in 1988; when over 780 thousand acres burned with hundreds of wildlife killed and all but a few displaced, that the NPS once again had their hands full. 

Meanwhile, due to practiced Predator Control both in and outside the park, the Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves had been virtually eradicated within the boundaries of Yellowstone.  1995 saw the beginning of the wolf restoration project when initially fourteen were reintroduced, inciting the onset of exciting ecological changes such as increases in beaver colonies and elk populations. Additionally, as the elk are once again on the move without as much time for browsing (thanks to the wolves), the Willows along the streams are faring much better and the entire ecosystem is once again flourishing.

Are you a fan of Yanni? How about that Valor dog? Had you heard about the Yellowstone wolves?