Yes, those winged-seeds that some people call helicopters, whirligigs, or noses (because they opened them up and put them on their noses as kids) are actually "samaras," the fruit of the maple tree.
If you park under a fruitful maple this time of year, you may have a harvesting job to do before you move your car. [Hint: Removing samaras can be a lot more fun if you first stick one to your nose – we won't tell.]
Yes, those winged-seeds that some people call helicopters, whirligigs, or noses (because they opened them up and put them on their noses as kids) are actually "samaras," the fruit of the maple tree.
If you park under a fruitful maple this time of year, you may have a harvesting job to do before you move your car. [Hint: Removing samaras can be a lot more fun if you first stick one to your nose – we won't tell.]
More and more citizens and visitors are asking about ways they can enjoy many of the places the Boston area has to offer with friends or family members who have different levels of mobility or other issues that require some special support.
The brochure covers categories of what they call experiences that will be right for a wide range of abilities.
It charts what is available by park within regions.
And, it covers what you can do at each place.
Accessible Recreation Fair
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Time: 10am – 3pm
Place: Artesani Park/Herter Park, 1231 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA (map)
Cost: Free!
Information / Registration: 617-626-1294
They say: "Come join DCR’s Universal Access Program and a host of other regional adaptive recreation organizations for a fun-filled day! Enjoy scenic views of the Charles River and social connections! Sign up for summer programs such as sailing, kayaking, hiking and more!"
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino Images: Courtesy of DCR
More and more citizens and visitors are asking about ways they can enjoy many of the places the Boston area has to offer with friends or family members who have different levels of mobility or other issues that require some special support.
The brochure covers categories of what they call experiences that will be right for a wide range of abilities.
It charts what is available by park within regions.
And, it covers what you can do at each place.
Accessible Recreation Fair
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Time: 10am – 3pm
Place: Artesani Park/Herter Park, 1231 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA (map)
Cost: Free!
Information / Registration: 617-626-1294
They say: "Come join DCR’s Universal Access Program and a host of other regional adaptive recreation organizations for a fun-filled day! Enjoy scenic views of the Charles River and social connections! Sign up for summer programs such as sailing, kayaking, hiking and more!"
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino Images: Courtesy of DCR
This was one of the first flowers to make an appearance in local gardens this spring. Every year I admire it, every year someone asks me to name it, and every year I have to look it up and get back to the questioner.
"The name of this genus is derived from the Greek words lithos and dorea, which translate to 'stone' and 'gift,' respectively. The common name for each species varies. Lithodora oleifolia is called olive-leaved gromwell, while the heavenly blue variety of Lithodora diffusa is called purple gromwell."
I think this plant needs an AKA. I may begin calling it "Early Blue Gift" or "Early Blue Star," since I seem doomed to never remember its proper Latin moniker.
What would you name this plant if you had the power to dub it something more memorable?
This was one of the first flowers to make an appearance in local gardens this spring. Every year I admire it, every year someone asks me to name it, and every year I have to look it up and get back to the questioner.
"The name of this genus is derived from the Greek words lithos and dorea, which translate to 'stone' and 'gift,' respectively. The common name for each species varies. Lithodora oleifolia is called olive-leaved gromwell, while the heavenly blue variety of Lithodora diffusa is called purple gromwell."
I think this plant needs an AKA. I may begin calling it "Early Blue Gift" or "Early Blue Star," since I seem doomed to never remember its proper Latin moniker.
What would you name this plant if you had the power to dub it something more memorable?
While waiting for it to finally warm up, we did muse about the good side of this long, cool spring.
The magnolias held their bloom far longer than usual. We had the early white blooms, the middle pink blooms, and some of the deep purple blooms all out together.
The birds have been singing their hearts out trying to set up their summer family and nests.
Gardeners have had cool days to do the heavy work of spring clean up.
Yes, we've done a lot of complaining about the lack of warm days. But being optimists at heart, we did try to find a good side to April's weather.
Would you rather have it warmer or have you found a few aspects of this slow move towards warmer days that you like?
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Everything is coming into bloom all at once and the experts are saying that this means a rough time for those of us with allergies. Here are some of our coping mechanisms and links to help you find more advice.
Set Your Goals
As you visit the various links we provide below, you'll find that setting a few allergy battle goals may help you follow through on tips and think of a few new ways to stay ahead of the issue.
Know the Enemy: If you suffer, then you should have a basic idea of how allergies work and how you can lessen your misery. This can mean choosing the time of day when you exercise or simply knowing which allergens impact your life and tracking when they are out and about.
Keep Them Out: There are lots of things you can do to filter, remove, or leave outside your home the particles that make you suffer.
Treat the Symptoms: Talk to your doctor about your best approach to treating allergies. Depending on the severity of your reaction, you may need to premedicate to stay ahead of the problem. However, those with milder cases may be able to just treat the symptom or symptoms that bother them most.
We do a lot of simple things to avoid bringing the particles that bother us into our home. We use Ultra Allergen Reduction Filters in our heat pump. We use a vacuum with HEPA filtration to clean our home. Our outdoor shoes stay in our entry area and this time of year we may change clothes or at least wipe down ourselves and our dog when we come back from a walk in the pollen laden air.
Treat the Symptoms
We both fall on the take-as-little-medication-as-possible side of the treatment spectrum. If rinsing with a neti pot will help, we'd rather do that than take any medication that may have side effects.
Links to More Tips
Boston-based writer Jacqueline Church has a great post on this topic. With some serious allergy issues of her own, Jackie is someone we depend on for expert advice on this topic and on food allergies.
With last week's return to cooler temperatures, the opening of the magnolia buds along Commonwealth Avenue slowed, but it is happening! And, if we get a sunny day or two, we think the spectacular display should peak this week.
Right now, there are a few early bloomers ready for their closeups. The white magnolias, like those above and below, are the first to bloom and a few have already begun to drop their petals.
There is the slightest tinge of pink even in the whitest of the white blossoms. It's fun to notice things like that when you move in for a close view.
With last week's return to cooler temperatures, the opening of the magnolia buds along Commonwealth Avenue slowed, but it is happening! And, if we get a sunny day or two, we think the spectacular display should peak this week.
Right now, there are a few early bloomers ready for their closeups. The white magnolias, like those above and below, are the first to bloom and a few have already begun to drop their petals.
There is the slightest tinge of pink even in the whitest of the white blossoms. It's fun to notice things like that when you move in for a close view.
in our heat pump. We use a 
to clean our home. Our outdoor shoes stay in our entry area and this time of year we may change clothes or at least wipe down ourselves and our dog when we come back from a walk in the pollen laden air.
will help, we'd rather do that than take any medication that may have side effects.