Inclusion Body Myositis Support by James G. Hood DDS

July Secondary Birth Month Flower is the Water Lily

As the month of July progresses it is a good time to mention the secondary Birth Month flower which is the beautiful water lily.

During the hot summer month of July a welcome visitor arrives in its water surroundings. Not everyone has a place to grow and nurture this beautiful plant but we can all learn more about this beautiful flower and learn to appreciate its appearance in water gardens that we can visit.

Just as the water lily symbolizes new spirit and new wish, these water plants are optimistic symbols of delight and happiness. A water lily is also known as a lotus and drawings of the lotus flower can be traced back to the tombs of ancient Egypt. The water lily is an important symbol in many religions including Buddhism and Hinduism. The outline of the lotus in art and jewelry can be seen worldwide in beautiful art and jewelry and is used to symbolize a peaceful spirit.

Water lilies help keep backyard ponds while providing shade they provide helps shelter fish and keep the water looking crystal clear by preventing algae from growing. The important thing to know is that water lilies aren't just for ponds. You can also grow these beautiful blooms in large containers on your porch and patio .

A 15-25 gallon container is perfect for a small water lily garden. A dwarf water lily can live in a 3 gallons pot but that is the smallest container to consider for a water lily.. The larger the pot in which the lily is planted, the larger the flowers and leaves will grow. Extra room also promotes the production of more flowers, and greater water volume provides better insulation from temperature extremes. Water lilies can bloom with 4 hours of sunshine a day but more sunlight usually provides blossoms.

Local nurseries do sell water lilies that grow well in our climate and they also provide information on growing these beautiful flowers in containers in your yard or on your porch or patio.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the beauty of the beautiful water lily or lotus blossom whenever you may encounter them.

Article Submitted by: KH

Photo Credit: Shuttersto

Happy Snowy Winter with a Smile from the Snowy Owl

The photograph below shows a snowy owl yawning which makes it look like it is smiling to wish you a Happy Winter Day.

Snowy Owls aren’t commonly found in Washington State but will sometimes appear in Washington during winter migrations. Snowy owls are not found this far south every winter, so they are a welcome encounter when they are seen.
Snowy owls live through dark, frigid winters, and sit through minus 40 degree, nights without flinching. Regardless of how cold you might be, they really aren’t fazed by frigid day temperatures. When they do appear in Washington, they’ve typically seen in spacious areas like open fields.
Snowy Owls visually stand apart from other owls due to their beautiful snow-white plumage covering their large, round bodies. Females tend to have more black and dark brown markings scattering across their bodies, while males have fewer. Both sexes feature deep yellow eyes.
Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at night, but the snowy owl is often active during the day, especially in the summertime. Given the difficulty of surveying such an unpredictable bird, there was little in-depth knowledge. Recently they have discovered that there are probably fewer than 100,000 individuals globally and that the number of successful breeding pairs is 28,000 or less.
Interesting Fact: The Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling, and subsequent films of the same name, featured a female snowy owl named Hedwig. There was concern that the popularity of the Harry Potter films would cause an increase in the illicit owl trade of snowy owls. However, there was no strong evidence of an increase in snowy owls confiscated from the black market, despite a larger than a typical number of snowy owls being reported at wildlife centers.

Snowy owls are excellent hunters, and they help agriculture by helping to reduce the rodent and mice population in open fields. These beautiful white owls are declining in numbers, so it is important to carry out research to find ways to protect their population.

If you get a chance to see a snowy owl, they are breathtaking. If that is not possible, we can enjoy them in photos and video while we do our part to protect their environment.

Enjoy! Happy Soon to Be End of Winter !

The following links provide more information about snowy owls:

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/snowy-owl

https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/raptor-club/resident-birds/tundra

Article Submitted by KH
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

April’s Birthmonth Flower is the Sweet Pea!

Did you know that there are actually two flowers chosen for birth month flowers? Sweet pea is primary and daisy is the second one selected. This article will focus on sweet peas and the next article will cover daisies.

In the language of flowers, the precious sweet pea means delicate or blissful pleasure and that is exactly what this flower evokes. As an added plus, sweet peas emit the most delightful and pleasant fragrance that is really quite intoxicating.

Sweet peas are such a wonderful old-fashioned flower and are appreciated in modern times. They are actually easy to grow from seed and now is the perfect time to begin planting them. Sweet pea flower seeds are readily available in your local seed stores. They are also available in a variety of colors and heights and fragrances online.

Simply select your favorite seeds and select a tray of your favorite garden soil. You can also recycle old cartons or pots and sterilize them with a weak bleach solution after washing them in soapy water. Peat pots are also another choice.

To soak or not soak the seeds? You may soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer coat or you can directly sow them into the soil ¼ inch deep. In about 14 days your seedlings will be growing and you can transfer them to a larger pot and keep them in a sunny place in the house until they can be transplanted outside.

An alternate method is to directly plant them outdoors in your prepared garden spot. The good news is that sweet peas love cool weather and they will be one of the first plants that can be set outside. There will be more articles posted on this site about caring for and cultivating your sweet peas.

In the meantime, you can read about growing wonderful sweet peas in the articles below. They are sure to be worthwhile to grow and enjoy in your backyard.

The message “thank you for a lovely time” is associated with this flower and often symbolizes goodbye. As an alternative. They make a welcome greeting as a hostess or thank you gift.

Do take time to plant some sweet peas this year. You will be so glad you did.
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2079/2014/02/SweetPeas.pdf

https://www.almanac.com/plant/sweet-peas

https://www.thespruce.com/sweet-peas-the-queen-of-the-annuals-1402917

Continuing Series of Birthmonth Flowers

Enjoy!

Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Birth Month Flower Series
March Birth Month Flower is the Narcissus or Daffodil

DAFFODIL is the Birth Month flower for March and what a delightful and cheerful flower it is!

The daffodil symbolizes unequaled love, so giving this flower to someone symbolizes a deep love according to the language of flowers. The daffodil has also been associated in history with death and rebirth. This is expressed from the death of the self-loving Narcissus in Greek mythology to its perennial return as an Easter flower.

Daffodil is actually just a nickname. The botanical or Latin name is “Narcissus” which comes from the Greek word “narkissos” and its base word “narke,” meaning a narcotic or numb sensation, attributed to the sedative effect from the alkaloids in its plants. All daffodils are poisonous, which is great for gardens because that makes them critter-proof. The bulbs and leaves contain poisonous crystals which cause most animals to stay away.

March’s flower is sometimes called the jonquil however this is not accurate. Not all daffodils are jonquils but all jonquils are daffodils.

Did you know that we get the word 'Narcissus' from Greek mythology? As the story goes nymph called Echo fell in love with a young Greek named Narcissus, but Narcissus told her to leave him alone. Heartbroken, she lived alone until nothing but an echo of her remained. Nemesis, the God of revenge, heard the story and lured Narcissus to a pool. Narcissus, who was very handsome and quite taken with himself, saw his reflection in the pool. As he leaned over to see better, Narcissus fell in and drowned. He then turned into the flower that we now know as Narcissus.

Narcissus species are found all over Europe and North Africa. Spain is the country with the greatest variety of species, but Narcissus are found in many other countries.

Daffodils were introduced into gardens in about 300BC. Daffodils were brought to Britain by the Romans who thought that the sap from daffodils had healing powers. This is false as the sap contains crystals that can irritate the skin.

It was not until the 19th century that the classification of the many narcissus species was attempted. The name 'daffodil' is often applied only to the larger trumpet-flowered and smaller flowered blossoms are referred to as narcissus., In fact, breeders and other enthusiasts refer to all kinds as daffodils.

Due to their popularity as flowering plants, thousands of varieties of Narcissus have been bred. The perianths (petals) are mostly yellow or white, but can occasionally be orange, green, or red, or a combination of these colors. Today, many cultivars have brightly colored coronas (cups) which may be yellow, white, pink, orange, red, green or a combination of these. They are all beautiful and most have a robust and intoxicating fragrance for an added bonus.

So do look around. Daffodils are sprouting all over the Spokane area. They are currently 1 to 4 inches tall in my yard depending on the variety and the micro-climate they are planted, I know that I for one, cannot wait for them to burst into bloom.

More will be presented in future articles about daffodil planting and cultivation. For now, get ready to enjoy daffodils in your own or surrounding gardens. Now is also a good time to notice which varieties are your favorites to plan to add to your own garden this fall,
Remember to give daffodils as gifts for birthdays in March.

Enjoy!

The following links provide additional information about daffodils from Washington State University
http://www.pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=70
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2073/2014/03/102811.pdf

Article Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Continuing Series of Birth Month Flowers

It is Time to Plant Kohlrabi Seeds Indoors
What to Plant Now Series

Looking to add something different in your garden this year? Try growing some delicious and colorful purple kohlrabi this growing season.

Kohlrabi is a vegetable that’s related to the cabbage family. It’s widely consumed in Europe and Asia and has gained popularity around the world for its health benefits and culinary uses. Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable. Despite its name, kohlrabi is not a root vegetable and does not belong to the turnip family.

Kohlrabi belongs to the Brassica genus of plants and is related to cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower It has a long leafy stem and a round bulb that’s usually purple, pale green, or white.

The bulb is widely used in salads and soups but can also be roasted or sautéed. Its leaves and stems are slightly crunchy and cook similarly to collard greens. Kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable that’s closely related to cabbage. Its leaves, stems, and bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. These are plant compounds that protect your cells against free radical damage that may otherwise increase your risk of disease.

The skin of purple kohlrabi is particularly high in anthocyanins, and they give vegetables and fruit a red, purple, or blue color. Kohlrabi is packed with nutrients that are linked to various health benefits that support your immune system and may lower inflammation. Most important is that they simply taste good and are fun to grow.

Kohlrabi is a cool-weather crop. Sow kohlrabi seeds indoors at this time. Plant seeds i/4 inch deep and keep moist. Transplant seedlings in the spring and space 9 inches apart. After 60 days the kohlrabi will be ready to harvest.

If you want to experiment with new vegetables, kohlrabi is an easy, versatile ingredient to add to your garden and menu. Try both the green and purple varieties to add color to your next menu. They are also cost effective to grow since the cost of each kohlrabi in the grocery store is much higher than the cost of kohlrabi seed. Have fun growing this cool weather crop.

Enjoy!

The following links provide further growing information from WSU:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2073/2014/09/Home-Vegetable-Gardening-in-Washington.pdf

https://extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/brassicas/

Article Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Photo shows the purple kohlrabi growing in the garden

Happy Monday with a Smile from the Snowy Owl

The photograph below shows a snowy owl yawning which makes it look like it is smiling to wish you a Happy Monday.

Snowy Owls aren’t commonly found in Washington State, but will sometimes appear in Washington during winter migrations. Snowy owls are not found this far south every winter so they are a welcome encounter when they are seen.

Snowy owls live through dark, frigid winters, and sit through minus 40 degree nights without flinching. Regardless of how cold you might be, they really aren’t fazed by frigid day temperatures. When they do appear in Washington, they’ve typically seen in spacious areas like open fields.

Snowy Owls visually stand apart from other owls due to their beautiful snow-white plumage covering their large, round bodies. Females tend to have more black and dark brown markings scattering across their bodies, while males have less. Both sexes feature deep yellow eyes.

Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at night, but the snowy owl is often active during the day, especially in the summertime. Given the difficulty of surveying such an unpredictable bird, there was little in-depth knowledge. Recently they have discovered that there are probably fewer than 100,000 individuals globally and that the number of successful breeding pairs is 28,000 or less.

Interesting Fact: The Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling, and subsequent films of the same name, featured a female snowy owl named Hedwig. There was concern that the popularity of the Harry Potter films would cause an increase in the illicit owl trade of snowy owls. However, there was no strong evidence of an increase in snowy owl's confiscated from the black market, despite a larger than a typical number of snowy owls being reported at wildlife centers.

Snowy owls are excellent hunters, and they help agriculture by helping to reduce the rodent and mice population in open fields. These beautiful white owls are declining in numbers so it is important to carry out research to find ways to protect their population.

If you get a chance to see a snowy owl they are breathtaking. If that is not possible we can enjoy them in photos and video while we do our part to protect their environment.

Enjoy! Happy Monday!

The links below provide further information on snowy owls.

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/snowy-owl

https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/raptor-club/resident-birds/tundra

Article Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

What To Plant Now

Time to Plant Cabbage Indoors for Early Harvest

Start seeds indoors in early February for setting outside as soon as the ground is workable for July harvest. Then start some more seeds indoors in mid-March for setting out May 1 for August harvest. Simply plant your cabbage seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep using your favorite potting soil. If you have fluorescent lights then place them about 6 inches from the lights and make sure you keep soil moist. If you don’t have lights then place them in a sunny window with as much direct sun as possible. Seeds should germinate in about 4 to 10 days.

If your light source is not bright enough you will produce tall spindly seedlings so it is important to start seeds indoors only if you can provide enough daylight hours for the seedlings.

Cabbage is ready to harvest in approximately 3-4 months. Cabbage heads should feel hard and solid before cutting. When harvesting, use a sharp knife to cut the head off at the base of the plant, keeping a few outer leaves to protect the head. The heads must be harvested promptly, or they deteriorate in your garden.

Some of the pests that may bother your garden cabbage include root maggots and cabbage butterfly moths. Both of these can be controlled organically fairly easily. To prevent root maggot, place 3-inch tar paper squares around each seedling when transplanting to cover the soil areas; or keep the ground dusted with wood ash. Cabbage butterflies/worms can also be surprisingly easy. Cover susceptible crops with a floating row cover when planting and leave it in place until harvest.

So if you want to try growing some of your own delicious cabbage, now is the time to plant some cabbage seeds for an early crop. You can also stagger the planting and plant more seeds through the coming spring months for extended harvest.

For additional information on vegetable gardening in our area please read the information link below. It is very helpful.
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2071/2014/04/Home-Vegetable-Gardening-in-WA-EM057E.pdf

Enjoy!

Article Submitted by KH
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Continuing Series: What To Plant Now

Amanda Gorman is the first poet to perform for the Super Bowl. AdvertisementContinue reading the main storyHow Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Beat the Chiefs to Win the Super BowlAmanda Gorman is the first poet to perform for the Super Bowl.Feb. 7, 2021, 6:33 p.m. ETFeb. 7, 2021, 6:33 p.m. ETBy Alexandra AlterAmanda Gorman at President Biden’s inauguratio...

Birth Month Flowers... January: The Carnation

Everyone loves to receive flowers on their birthday so consider gifting or growing their birth month flower on their special day. The birth flower for everyone born in January is the carnation. It’s also known as dianthus, sweet william, or gillyflower. Carnations are beautiful, long-lasting, and have a fantastic fragrance.

Carnations bloom in almost all the colors of the rainbow, like purple, red, yellow, and even green. Carnations may look delicate but they can grow under extreme circumstances and will bloom during the winter months in greenhouses and warm climates making them a popular winter flower.
The secondary January birth flower is the snowdrop, a flower that will also bloom during the months of January to March to make the cold winter months feel a little brighter. More about the snowdrop will be included in a future article.

Carnations can be used in cooking and baking as they are edible. In addition to this, wineries, breweries, and distilleries often use the flower to add flavor and a touch of romance to their creations.
Some people have used carnations to treat skin problems, hair loss, and muscle tension. Carnations are often used in perfumes where they are prized for their clove-like fragrance.

While you can find carnations in every color of the rainbow, their historical natural hues are pinkish purples. Shades of green, orange, red, white, and yellow are the result of selective breeding over the years. And we have genetic engineering to acknowledge for the deep blues and purples.

You can even change the color of your carnations if you want to experiment at home. Simply submerge your white blossom into natural food coloring and water. After 24 hours the carnation flower will have absorbed the new hue and you’ll have created your own personal blossom. All carnations are very sensitive to ethylene, so keep them far away from your fruit bowl.

About the Language of Flowers: Carnation flowers symbolize fascination, love, and remembrance but there is also another meaning for each color of carnation. Pink carnations symbolize gratitude. Dark red carnations symbolize affection and romantic love, White carnations represent good luck and pure love, making them a welcome choice for anyone.

The language of flowers expresses sentiment for people born in the first month of the year also. It is thought that anyone born in the month of January is genuine, practical, and incredibly loyal. It is said that people with January birthdate’s love for their friends and family is matchless. Those are all pleasant thoughts and be sure and remember them when you select flowers for those who have birthdates in January.

Whatever the month, carnations are flowers that can be enjoyed year-round. Tips on growing carnations in your backyard will be covered in future articles.

Flowers and Landscaping | Spokane County | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
C226-Planting-Perennials-from-Pot-to-Ground-2020.pdf (wsu.edu)

Continuing Series by KH: Next Birth Month Flower Article: Monday 2/1/2021

Article Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Take Care of Your Trees After the Storm

Our recent Spokane storm caused lots of destruction in some areas. More than 206,000 customers lost power. Avista officials said it will take days to restore it all. Many trees toppled and caused road blockage and tragically resulted in 2 deaths. It is important for everyone to stay safe during the storm clean up. Once major emergencies have been attended to it becomes time to take inventory of the damage after the storm. Some trees can be saved while others must or should be removed.

Be sure and inspect a damaged tree to make sure they are not in danger of causing harm to a person, pet, or the surrounding area. Make sure that the damaged tree could not fall on an area where people, structures, cars, equipment, etc. are present or may be present. Be careful if overhead utility lines are present and could be hit if the tree falls. If this is the case, then the tree is considered a hazard and immediate removal may be necessary.

In many cases, it is apparent the tree should be removed. But, there are circumstances where it is not always clear. In those cases, it is prudent to consult with a tree professional. Look for a tree professional with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification, or a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCS), or Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).

The following WSU article provides helpful information on how to evaluate and take care of your trees after a storm. Be sure and stay safe when checking for any damaged trees and shrubs.


https://extension.wsu.edu/chelan-douglas/urbanhorticulture/treesafterthestrom/

Article Submitted by KH

Photo credit: Shutterstock
Photo of Storm damage to a tree in different season

Looking for an Easy Houseplant? Try Tillandsia

As we are still tending to our indoor houseplants you may consider adding a delightful Tillandsia.

Tillandsia, also known as "air plant," is an epiphyte. Epiphytes are fascinating plants in that they don’t need soil to grow. This is because epiphytes are able to obtain water and nutrients from the air. There are about 450 to 650 species of Tillandsia that have been discovered along with many more being discovered, are native to southern Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. They grow naturally in semi-arid regions and in very dry and sunny conditions. It is good to know this when selecting the site to grow this air plant as an indoor houseplant.

Tillandsia is grown indoors by mounting it to a board, tile, or by growing it in a special Tillandsia planter. Tillandsia plants and planters are available at your local nurseries or online. They usually are a glass hanging globe with holes in it to increase airflow or an artistically designed piece to hold the Tillandsia in the air.

Tillandsia needs bright, indirect light. They seem to grow fine in low light conditions but it takes more light to induce them to flourish and blossom. If you don't have a bright window, you can also grow Tillandsia under a grow light.

To water Tillandsia, mist it two to three times per week if your air plant is mounted to some type of object. If your Tillandsia is moveable simply take the entire plant and submerge it in water for several minutes once or twice per week. Mist the Tillandsia with a diluted organic fertilizer once or twice per month to make sure it gets the nutrients it needs. There are even small Tillandsia fertilizer spray bottles available for sale that take all the guesswork out of measuring.

Whatever Tillandsia you decide to purchase, enjoy growing these lovely air plants.

Microsoft Word - 05-24-13_HouseplantsHelpCleantheAir_B.Lloyd.docx (wsu.edu)

The photo below shows a Tillandsia with a beautiful purple flower.

Article Submitted by KH

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

WINTER SALT DAMAGES PLANTS and TREES

Did you know that across the country, more than 22 million tons of road salt is used every year? That is a lot of salt.

We know that we need to keep our roads and walkways safe during times of ice and snow but we should also consider the devastating effects it has on trees and plants.

Salt damage occurs on plants when it is spilled directly on the landscape or landscape materials but it is also spread by the spray of passing vehicles that travel through the salt. Salt spray can cause a salt burn on buds, leaves, and small twigs. We cannot see it now but damage to deciduous plants can be identified in the spring and can result in severe damage or death of the plant.

Another serious problem is the salt damage caused by runoff water from the melting snow and ice that has been treated with salt or other deicing chemicals. This salty runoff water carries chloride ions that are carried to the plant leaves. This causes a disruption in photosynthesis and chlorophyll production which results in brown leaves and even the death of the plant.

Rock salt also causes damage when it is sprinkled on our sidewalks and driveways and then later shoveled off to our lawns and landscape. The damage of using winter salt and deicing chemicals is far-reaching. More than we may realize since runoff water is carried to our precious water supply.

So what can we do? No one is saying that we should eliminate methods to deice and keep us safe.

Instead, carefully consider its use. For example, we can mix rock salt with sand which adds traction and is not as destructive to plants.

Carefully select and target deicing materials to hit only those areas that are necessary for safety rather than spreading salt in wider areas.

In areas where the affected soil has good drainage, leaching the soil will remove some of the salt build-up but this is not possible if the area affected cannot drain properly.


Make sure plants are protected by a physical barrier to the salt application by using plastic, wood, or burlap barriers.

Safety is always a primary concern but we can all definitely work together to consider better methods to provide safety while protecting our plants, trees, and landscape. We also want to reduce these chemicals that runoff and adversely affect our water system.

The following link provides more detailed information on the above summary.
Landscape: The Impact of Salts on Plants and How to Reduce Plant Injury from Winter Salt Applications | UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

The following is an interesting WSU article on salt damage on Washington shorelines which discusses salt damage from a different natural source. It also lists plants that are more salt tolerant.
SHORE STEWARDS NEWS (wsu.edu)

Enjoy reading.

Article Submitted by KH
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Winter White Snowdrops in the Snow

Snowdrop is one of the earliest blooming bulbs and a true harbinger of spring. Snowdrops usually bloom weeks before most crocus. They can actually begin blooming in February in the Spokane area but it varies depending on weather conditions.


Snowdrops are valued as winter-blooming bulbs whose flowers resemble drops of snow. Each bulb produces 2-3 narrow,1/4” wide, basal leaves which grow to a height of 4” at flowering and then produce a leafless flower scape that grows to a height of 6”. It is topped with a single, nodding, white, bell-shaped flower which appears waxy in color. These flowers are 1” in length and should be planted in an area that can be seen and enjoyed through the snow.

Snowdrops grow best in full sun to light shade in cool moist soil. Once established they should be left in place without disturbance. for several years and then can be divided after that. These bulbs are often planted in drifts where they can naturalize.

Snowdrop flower bulbs are small bulbs that are often sold “in the green” or undried. It is best to purchase your snowdrop bulbs and plant them immediately. Snowdrops are a pest-free plant. Rabbits and deer won’t eat them either, and most chipmunks and mice will leave them alone.

Snowdrops don’t often multiply from seed in a garden, but they will multiply by offsets. Offsets are new bulbs that grow attached to the mother bulb. After a couple of years, the clump of bulbs can be quite dense. If you wait until the flowers fade but the leaves are still green and vigorous, you can easily increase your planting. Simply dig up the clump, separate the bulbs, and immediately replant them in the new spaces that you already prepared.

So if you do not have any snowdrops in your garden yet then be sure and plan to buy some and plant them this fall. They are a wonderful winter flower.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!


Article Submitted by KH
Photo Credit: Shutterstock