cherry valley forever
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I'd rather be in outer space 🛸
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
Claire Keane
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
Kaledo Art
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TVSTRANGERTHINGS
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JBB: An Artblog!
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izzy's playlists!
Misplaced Lens Cap
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★
todays bird
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@rdhaht
all-american motor inns
One of the things I miss from the mid and late 20th century is buildings and businesses that were unique to their area. If you drove past where these places used to be, if you saw any hotel or motel at all, it would be part of a chain, with no visual connection to its actual location.
One of those was in my town! (The Downtowner). And of course has been replaced by a big corporation hotel.
Shots fired.
Buuuurrrrn.
In Hortum: Calendula & Catnip
intro/info post here
CALENDULA Calendula officinalis Romans called it: calendula, from calendae, “first day of the month”
Here in Florida, most of the annuals at garden centers labeled “marigold” (the ones recommended for repelling garden pests) are actually what’s known as French Marigolds, Tagetes patula. This flower is unrelated to calendula and is not used medicinally. Which is kind of a bummer, because I grew them all my life thinking they were calendula. :( True marigolds are in the genus Calendula; there are about a dozen cultivars. Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis, is the star of the show.
Though used mostly for medicine, calendula was also found in the Roman kitchen. In medieval Europe the petals were used to color butter, cheese, and soup, a practice some think originated in Roman times. We do know the Romans used dried calendula petals to thin out expensive saffron and make it last longer, and also that calendula vinaigrette was one of the most popular Roman salad dressings. Calendula wine was also enjoyed as a digestif.
Medicinally, though, calendula was a must-have. If anise was the Pepto and borage was the Prozac, calendula was the Neosporin. It would have been found in just about every first-aid kit, apothecary, and infirmary, in various formats (but only the flowers, not the leaves or stems). Taken internally as tea, Romans believed calendula prevented and/or broke fevers after injury; externally it was a staple in all kinds of poultices, salves, ointments, and balms. Those little powerhouse petals were used to treat everything from battle wounds to kitchen burns to diaper rash, and they still are to this day.
what they knew then:
Speeds healing of skin wounds and injuries
Helps prevent and fight off external infection
Helps prevent and bring down fevers
Calms internal & external inflammations
what we know now:
Calendic acid is a moderate antiseptic/antiviral
Volatile oils are also styptics (regulates bloodflow)
Flavonoids and saponins can speed tissue repair
Widely used today in lotions, balms, and ointments
My grandmother grew (french) marigolds all over our property when I was a kid, and I grew up thinking those scraggly orange/yellow/red puffballs were the same ones the ancient types played with. Alas, I was wrong. The upside is, true calendula are prettier and smell nicer, and I can get seeds at Lowe’s. Bonus.
CATNIP (CATMINT) Nepeta cataria Romans called it: nepeta, possibly an ancient city name
There are about 250 plant species under the name Nepeta, all members of the mint family. The variety sold today as catnip is Nepeta cataria; there is a species called Nepeta grandiflora or “giant catmint”, but the names catnip/catmint refer to Nepeta cataria. Catnip is a mint, and while here in the US many people think of it as a feline toy only, lots of people do drink catnip tea and use the leaves in salads and seasonings. Such was the case in Roman times. Catnip was a common ingredient in fresh salads, with both Columella and Apicus including it in their recipes (Romans loved their salads, let me tell you); they also cooked with the herb much the same way we cook with mints today, in sauces and with meats. I found one recipe for “Roman roasted meat” which used catnip as the main spice rub, but I couldn’t confirm the source.
As in Roman food, Catnip was used in Roman medicine the same way as other mints, often taken in tea form to calm the digestive system and soothe the nerves. Pliny called it “Nep” and prescribed it as an eyewash, gargle, and nasal wash for nosebleed. He compared it to pennyroyal, which he recommended for regulating menstruation and calming chills or fever, and he also recognized it as an insect repellent, even claiming it would flush out intestinal parasites. Women drank catnip tea to cleanse the womb after childbirth and promote fertility when trying to conceive. The plant was valuable in gardens because it repelled rats, snakes, insects, and other pests. And yes, Romans did give it to their cats. They loved Fluffius Maximus too.
what they knew then:
Calms and soothes digestive problems
Promotes sweating, which can aid fever
Promotes relaxation, calms “hysteria”
Healthful to female reproductive organs
what we know now:
The cat-pleasing substance, nepetalactone, is an insect repellent
Essential oil is a mild diaphoretic (induces sweating)
Being a mint, it calms the digestive tract and dispels gas,
but if drunk hot in large quantities, it can be an emetic. oops.
Today catnip is on par with chamomile as a gentle tea for insomnia, anxiety, and colicky or teething children. You can find it in many herbal teas for relaxation – it may drive your cat bonkers, but it will have the opposite effect on you. Alas, contrary to what you may have heard in middle school, smoking it will not make you high. Sorry.
President Obama just announced his nominee for the Supreme Court. Now it’s time for the Senate to give Chief Judge Merrick Garland a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote.
This is actually useful
I find this irrationally awesome.
My buddy read an article about octopus intelligence. It was feeding time, and the handler dumped some shrimp into an octopus’ tank. Then he went into another room and sat at his desk.
A while later, a shrimp was tossed onto his desk.
The octopus, upon finding one bad shrimp in the lot, had grabbed it, escaped its tank, crossed the hall, and threw the expired shrimp at its caretaker. Not only does this showcase their problem-solving capabilities, but also that it could have escaped at any time. It just broke out this time to chuck an off shrimp in indignation at its handler. That’s not just intelligence, that’s a human-like reaction. Kinda make you wonder exactly how smart these guys can be…
OH MY GOD
I went to the aquarium once and we had a tour and we walked past the octopus tank and it was duct taped shut so I asked why and the guy was like. “Well, we had a problem before because these fish were disappearing randomly at night and we had no idea why. Turns out the octopus had memorised the night guards rounds and would creep out of its tank, crawl across the floor to the fish tank, have a little snack and be back in its own tank with the lid shut before the guard came back.” they are super smart
I love octopuses so, so much.
@_@
I am both delighted and FUCKING TERRIFIED.
If octopodes lived more than a couple of years they absolutely would take over the world.
YES.
I once saw someone point out something I hadn’t really considered before- libraries are one of the only places that are warm and dry where you can stay for long periods of time if you have no money. If you’re someone with nowhere to go during the daytime, they provide a safe environment in which to keep a roof over your head for a while- and all while you can access information.
So yes. This.
It’s weird…libraries almost feel /wrong/ now. It’s like I walk in and think “This is great…where do I put my money?”
I used to work on a campus library and if you want someplace to put your money, so to speak, make sure you put books back in the designated areas. I know you think you’re being helpful by reshelving, but even if you pull something out to read a couple paragraphs just stick it in the basket for things you didn’t want. I don’t care if you know EXACTLY where you are. In academic libraries (at least in Texas) our funding was determined by how many books people looked at. So we got additional funding based on books not being reshelved. If there’s a designated shelf/basket for things you don’t want, stick things in it!
What @standbyyourmantis said about not reshelving is true for public libraries, too. Our funding is dictated largely by how ‘used’ we are, so we scan all the items that are laying about as In House Use. That, tied with Reference Count and Door Counter numbers (we have to manually put in the time we take for references) to prove we’re providing a needed service. We also have to count the number of people who come for our programs, which not only helps funding but shows that the programming/services are needed, as well. So, basically, if you want to feel like you’re making sure we’re getting paid and staying around, keep these in mind.
I didn’t know that’s why you’re not supposed to reshelf!
Yes! All of this!
Shut up. I needed a kitten stealing a pancake on my blog.
Honestly, if you don’t need a kitten stealing a pancake on your blog, it had better be because you already have a kitten stealing a pancake on your blog.
Always reblog pancake kitten thief.
Monday motivation.
Dis pamcake is mines.
jesus christ
bless these two
OH MY GOD
Oh my fucking god
This is GOLD.
I’m facing the apocalypse with The Rock, Ezio Auditore, and Darrell Hammond. I’ll take it.
You?
Mark Watney, Thomas Cromwell, and the judges from the Great British Bake-Off. You could not find a more random assemblage of people.
oh man I’ve got Kimmy Schmidt, Buffy and Team Free Will. I think we got this one covered.
Van Helsing, the one from Dracula, not that awful Hugh Jackman movie, Lawrence Talbot and The Doctor. I think I’ll be just fine.
I’ve got Peggy Carter, Spider-man, and Chandler Bing. LOLOLOLOLOLOL
I have Commander Shepard, The Dovahkiin, and the Nerevarine.
I think I’m good :D
Will Graham, Jim Kirk, and Ichabod Crane. I’m set. A+ team. Bring it on.
Dean Winchester, Phryne Fisher, and Peter Burke… that covers a lot of bases, actually.
Annalise Keating, Alexander Hamilton, and Sue Perkins. I like my chances.
Doctor Who, Harry Potter and The Simpsons. You know, all things considered, I think I’m gonna be okay.
Lizzie Bennet, Justice of Torren, and Alexander Hamilton. At least I’ll go polite.
The Doctor, Mark Watney, and Baru Coromorant. I feel like it’s going go be okay whatever happens.
The Doctor, Alton Brown, and the cast of The Walking Dead. Nice.
Prince Corwin of Amber, Burt Gummer, and Garrett Hawke. I think I’m gonna be okay.
Doctor Who, Bob Ross, and Kate Winslet. YEAH BABY! Bring it, apocalypse! I ain’t scared of you.
Doctor Who, Jonathan Strange, and an artist who shape-shifts into a hawk. BOOM.
I’m in good shape. I watched Hunger Games last night so, Katniss, Gale and Peeta.
Aidan Turner on Poldark series two and the possibility of more topless scything
OMG his FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“It is so ordered.”
My little man, enjoying the sun his last few weeks.
BOOM!
this video is beautiful
This gave me the chills
tearing up severely
Wow....just...wow.
30/01/15 setlock Bristol
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2933424/Martin-Freeman-gets-character-vintage-three-piece-suit-bowler-hat-films-scenes-Sherlock.html
The last one...John Watson, you dapper GQ mofo.
