Jellyfish are  some of the most beautiful of all the creatures, that inhabit the seas around us.  Some prefer warm waters, while others prefer cold.  Jellyfish provide food for sea dwellers as well as for man.  Unfortunately, their stinging tentacles can present a problem to waders, swimmers, snorkelers and divers.  Care should always be taken around areas where jellyfish are plentiful.  This includes the beaches, where jellyfish bodies may be washed up on shore.

Long tentacles trail behind the body of the jellyfish. On smaller jellyfish, these tentacles are threadlike and may be under one inch long, whereas larger jellyfish may trail tentacles over one hundred feet in length.  These tentacles are used for defense as well as to capture and hold prey.   If a wader or swimmer accidentally brushes against these tentacles, they release tiny microscopic barbs, bearing venom.  When these barbs pierce human skin, the venom can cause a variety of reactions.  In severe cases, jellyfish stings can cause death.

Once the tiny barbs scratch the skin, there is an immediate reaction.  The victim will feel a throbbing, burning pain and the area will become reddened.   The pain may radiate away from the site, and there may also be a tingling sensation and varying degrees of numbness. More sensitive victims may get a rash, or the whole area, of contact, may blister.  As with many other medical reactions, the very young, and the elderly are most likely to have the severest.  The severity of the reaction can also depend on the type of jelly fish involved and how much skin is stung.  Reactions may also vary as some individuals are more sensitive than others to the venom excreted.

The deadliest, and most complex of the jellyfish is the box jellyfish, named because of its shape.   Those stung by box jellies need immediate medical attention.  Because the pain is extremely intense and because the venom attacks the heart and nervous system as well as the skin, victims may go into shock, and die or drown, before help can arrive.  Box jellyfish move in large groups and are primarily found in the warmer waters north of Australia.

Fortunately most jellyfish stings can be treated at home.  The pain and discoloration will lessen over the next week or ten days and should disappear completely in about two weeks.  If the victim of jellyfish stings is a child, frail, or elderly or if the area of stings is extensive, is is wise to always seek medical attention.  It is interesting to note that the marks the jellyfish leaves on the skin, are often the exact imprint of the jellyfish tentacles.

If the victim is in good health and the stings appear to be minor, the best treatment is to first wash off any tentacle material, using hot water – as hot as the patient can tolerate.  Salt water can be used in an emergency, but it not as effective as hot.  If any tentacle material remains, remove it by using tweezers.  Make sure to wear gloves when doing this.  It is important that the area is tentacle-free, or the stinging will continue.   For pain and itching use Ibuprofen, or whatever you physician of pharmacist advise.

Some suggest that vinegar, a baking soda solution, and even urine, will help relive the pain of a jellyfish sting.  It is worth trying anything, if your options are limited, but the best treatment is still considered to be an extended soaking – twenty minutes at a time – in tolerably hot water.

Serious jellyfish stings, especially from the more toxic jellyfish, like the box jellyfish, are another matter, and the symptoms are potentially more severe.  They may include extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, dizziness, loss of consciousness, problems with breathing, and muscle weakness.  These symptoms may be delayed, so in the case of a box jellyfish sting, it is essential to get immediate medical attention, irregardless of the victims age or physical condition.

For serious jellyfish stings, and always for box jellyfish stings, more extreme treatments are necessary.  These may include anti-venoms, CPR, and in extreme cases, life support.  The extreme pain may call for injected pain-relievers.  Zinc injections are the latest in jellyfish sting treatments.

If you are stung by a jellyfish and have any concerns, it is wise to see a physician immediately.

If you are plagued with snails and slugs in your garden there are some environmentally friendly options that you can use to get rid of them. You may hate the thought of killing snails, (since they are a part of the ecosystem,) however if you want to have a garden and have an invasion, drastic methods may be necessary to get rid of them. Slugs and snails can quickly devour young garden plants and damage mature ones. Also, they can spread diseases which affect humans, such as e. coli and Rat Lungworm disease.  Here are some of the time – tested, eco – friendly ways that gardeners can use to kill snails and slugs and keep them from coming back.

Prevention, The Best Way To Keep Snails Out Of Your Garden

If you have an invasion of snails in your yard or garden it is very likely the result of an ecological imbalance. The most environmentally friendly way to control snails is to prevent them from gaining a foothold in your garden in the first place.  Like almost any other creature on earth, given an unlimited supply of food and water, shelter, and an absence of predators, snails and slugs will continue to multiply. How many eggs does a garden snail lay you may be wondering? Helix aspersa, the common garden snail, can lay a batch of eighty or more eggs, up to six times a year. That’s 480 offspring per year, just from one snail alone! Some species can lay clusters of as many as 2,000 eggs. If you had only a dozen or so snails in your garden, they could easily turn into more than 5,000 in a short period of time, provided they had no predators.

Snails and slugs feed on young vegetation as well as decomposing organic matter, like dog feces, dead plants and food scraps. One of the best ways to prevent a snail or slug population explosion is to avoid creating the ideal conditions for one. The first step in snail control is to keep your yard and garden clean and free of decomposing plants. While it may seem like a good thing to let organic matter lay and decompose in your garden, if you want to avoid creating an ideal breeding situation for insects such as snails, you should avoid this practice. Keeping your garden neat and tidy is the first step in pest management. Plant your garden in neat, wide rows and use a rake to sweep up dead vines, plants and leaves and place them in a compost bin. This is step number one in reducing available food for snails and preventing a population explosion.

Good housekeeping in your garden will also make the job of the snail’s major predators easier. By keeping your lawn mowed and debris out of your garden, birds and other predators can locate snails easier and help you eliminate them. Snails love to hide under objects such as flat rocks, garden decorations and in cracks. Make sure that you remove all of the snail hiding places that you can. This will help prevent snails and slugs from gaining a foothold in your garden.

Hand Removal Of Snails

Probably the most eco friendly way to kill snails is to remove them by hand and place them in a solution of soapy water. Also, if you have chickens, they love to eat snails! If you are really soft – hearted, and don’t want to kill them, I suppose that you could relocate them far away from your garden. Remember though, snails can travel up to a hundred yards or more per day and will quickly return. The best time to hand remove snails is at night or in the early morning. If you get out in your yard just after daybreak, on a day when the grass is still wet with dew, you can often find snails crawling and begin to hand pick them. Place them in a solution of water containing a couple teaspoons of soap or laundry detergent and this will kill them fairly quickly and humanely. Hand removal of snails can be effective during the first stages of an invasion, however if you have an established garden snail population, it will not have that great of an effect. If adult snails have already laid their eggs, there are likely hundreds of young and eggs that you cannot see. If that is the case, it’s time to move on to more drastic measures.

Copper Snail Barriers

Creating a physical barrier that snails will not cross is one way to keep snails out of your garden. For centuries, wealthy gardeners in Europe have used copper sheeting placed around gardens to keep snails away. It is believed that the copper metal reacts with the snails protective slime, therefore creating an electric current which keeps them away. There are several kinds of copper snail barrier tape on the market which you can easily place around your garden perimeter. Snail tape can be very effective against a variety of species, including slugs. In addition to buying snail tape, you can make your own copper snail barrier.

How To Make A Copper Snail Barrier For Your Garden

One way to make a permanent snail barrier for your garden is to place landscaping timbers around your vegetable garden, then affix lengths of copper pipe to the very top of the wood. Simply encircle the perimeter of your garden with landscaping timbers and then attach 3/4″ copper tubing to the top of the board. You can use unsoldered copper fittings and elbows to connect the lengths of pipe together.  You can attach the tubing by drilling holes in it and screwing it down with deck screws. The copper tubing will act in the same way as snail tape does, but will also form a rounded surface that they will hesitate to cross. To keep your snail barrier working, polish the tubing once a year.  Neither of these methods of course will do anything about the snails already in your garden. For those, you will have to use either hand removal, traps or insecticide.

Use Eco Friendly Snail Poisons  (Warning: Metaldehyde Snail Baits Can Kill Dogs, Cats and Other Animals!)

If you visit the garden section of stores such as Home Depot, you will usually find two types of snail bait for sale on the shelves. One type is based on the chemical Metaldehyde, which is highly effective in killing snails, but also highly toxic to dogs, cats and other animals.  If dogs or cats ingest Metaldehyde, they will experience drooling, tremors and death within a few days if not treated. Even if you don’t own pets, you should avoid using Metaldehyde, since you don’t know what domestic and wild animals may visit your garden at night.

There are natural snail poisons which do not contain dangerous Metaldehyde. Iron – based baits are a much more eco friendly snail control method. Iron phosphate based snail poisons are very effective against a wide variety of snails and slugs. Iron phosphate is a common ingredient in lawn fertilizer, and after the the granules are done killing snails they will fertilize your yard or garden. Baits such as Ortho Elementals Slug and Snail Killer and Sluggo Snail and Slug Killer are made with a combination of natural attractants and iron phosphate. The iron compound stops the insect from eating, and they will crawl off somewhere an die in a few days. These eco friendly snail poisons should ideally be applied in the late evening, when rain is not expected. Bait can be sprinkled around gardens and flower beds, and in cases of severe infestations, broadcast in a spreader.

Good luck and happy gardening! Karl Schultz

Although many jokes are made about hair loss, it is no laughing matter.  Losing hair is frightening and, for many, a blow to their self-confidence.  What can be done about hair loss?

First, it is important to understand that there are many causes for hair loss.  Usually, hairs are constantly being shed and new hairs grown.  However, if the cells in the scalp that normally produce hairs, do not live through their normal cycle, new hairs are not grown in sufficient quantities to replace the hairs being shed.  So far science has not developed ways to insure the health of these hair-growing cells so that they can live through their normal life cycle, and so what is known as male-pattern baldness goes on unchecked.  Male-pattern baldness can start as early as the late teens.  Female-pattern baldness has much the same cause but appears as a general thinning of the hair all over the scalp, rather than the male’s receding forehead.

There are other significant causes of hair loss, some temporary, and some permanent.  The most common cause of temporary hair loss is chemotherapy.  This loss is initially devastating, but the hair usually grows back normally when treatments are discontinued.  Some scalp infections can cause temporary or even permanent loss of hair, over parts or all of the body.  Some women experience temporary hair loss during pregnancy.  Others find their hair thins when they take certain forms of birth control.  Many older women experience thinning of the hair when they enter menopause.

Some illnesses and drugs cause hair loss.  Both thyroid disease and syphilis can cause thinning or loss of hair.  Drugs that may cause hair loss include some prescribed for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and depression.  A poor diet with insufficient protein and iron, excessive worry, extreme dieting, severe shock, and protracted illnesses, can also cause hair loss.

Heredity may also play a part in your hair loss, though it is seldom the whole answer.

With so many factors involved in hair loss, it is essential to know what is causing your particular hair loss, and what you can do about it.

To find out what causes your hair loss, start with a visit to your family physician.  After examining you thoroughly, he/she may have an answer, or he may want to do some tests to rule out disease or infection as possible causes.  He may also do a biopsy, removing a very small piece of scalp for further examination. Your doctor will prescribe the treatment he considers best to treat you particular cause of hair loss.  If he finds that your hair loss is primarily due to pattern baldness, he may suggest a medications.

There are only two medications approved by the United States Food And Drug Administration for treating hair loss.  One of these may be useful for women and the second may be useful for male-pattern baldness. These are the medications your physician will suggest, if he feels they are appropriate for you.  Even these medications is not effective in all cases.  They may slow hair loss and in some cases seem promote regrowth.

There are many other products on the market which claim to stop hair loss.  If you are tempted to try these, do ask your doctor’s opinion first.  Many of these treatments only provide false hope and a basically a wast of money.

Your doctor may inform you that your hair loss is unquestionably permanent, and this may be a hard pill to swallow.  There are products that will fluff up the hair to make it look thicker, conditioners and sprays to improve the appearance of your hair, wigs and wiglets to fill in empty areas, and then there are the surgical procedures that plant plugs of hair from the back of your scalp to the problem areas, or fold the scalp to lessen the bald areas.   These procedures are expensive.

A full head of healthy hair is wonderful to have, but it will not bring you happiness.  You can make your own happiness by using what still remains deep under that once thick crop.

Over one hundred thousand people die every year from cholera.  Although it is seldom seen in the industrialized world, areas that lack adequate water and sewage treatment, are prone to periodic outbreaks of this dreadful disease.  Cholera is most likely to occur when war, famine, or natural disasters find masses of individuals living in close quarters, with little in the way of basic facilities.

Cholera is a contagious disease, that, if left untreated, can kill in a matter of hours.  The very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most at risk.

We generally assume that cholera is always caused by drinking water that had been contaminated by bacteria.  This is not always the case.  Cholera can also be caused by eating raw seafood, especially oysters, that have been contaminated by the bacteria which can occur naturally in sea water.  Even uncooked, or poorly washed, fruits and vegetables can become contaminated.

The main symptom of cholera is severe diarrhea, often accompanied by vomiting.  The stools become fishy-smelling, milky rivers with rice-like particles, which are the cells lining the digestive organs.  If treatment is not instigated at this time, and the diarrhea continues, the body becomes dehydrated.  The patient will become lethargic, and suffer from extreme thirst.  The urine will be scant or dry up completely.  The inability to eat causes further loss of strength.  As the disease progresses, the blood pressure will drop; the heartbeat will become irregular; the muscles will begin to cramp; the kidneys may fail, and the patient will go into shock.

With immediate medical attention, most individuals can survive a bout of cholera.  However, those who do not receive attention will die within a matter of hours.  Even when aid is sent to areas of epidemic there is so little in term of resources, that the death toll will inevitably be high.

The United States has not had a serious outbreak of cholera since 1910.  The cases that are experienced here are usually in individuals who have ingested raw seafood, or have spent time in areas of infection.  Nevertheless, in the event that you or a family member experiences a bout of severe diarrhea, it is important to visit you family physician immediately.

Cholera is diagnosed by examining the stool for the cholera bacteria.  Diagnosis is important to ascertain if the patient has cholera, and begin appropriate treatment.

The most important treatment for cholera is re-hydration and the replacement of electrolytes. This is done by administering fluids by mouth, if possible, and, if not possible, then by intravenous injection.  If re-hydration is possible, virtually all victims of cholera can be saved.  Without re-hydration, most victims will die.  Antibiotics may or may not be given, at the discretion of the physician.

Until all areas had adequate supplies of pure water and functioning sewage treatment plants, outbreaks of cholera will continue to occur.

You can prevent cholera from attacking you and your family by observing a few simple rules.

1.  Avoid areas where cholera is known to exist.

2.  Wash your hands in warm soapy water before handling food, and before eating.

3.  If you are traveling in areas where sanitation facilities are less that perfect, drink only purified bottled water, and eat only cooked vegetables and fruits, unless you have washed them yourself.   Avoid letting shower water get into your mouth.  Brush your teeth with purified or boiled water.  Do not eat dairy foods, including ices and ice cream.

4.  Do not eat food from street vendors.

There is a cholera vaccine available in some countries, but not in the United States.  It is not considered to be totally effective, so your health is in your hands.

Have you been contacted by an attorney, oil company or others regarding mineral rights in South Texas which you didn’t even know that you owned? Did you just get a check in the mail along with an offer to purchase those rights and are tempted to cash it?  If so, you’re not alone. You might want to read this article before you sign any offers.

The Winter Garden Area Of Texas, Now One Great Big Oilfield

In the early 1900′s, land promoters lured farmers to an area of South Texas they dubbed the “Winter Garden.”  Towns such as Gardendale, Brundage, Millett, Los Angeles, Derby, Divot, Woodward, Prince, Fowlerton, and Schattel Texas all sprang up as direct or indirect result of  the relentless efforts of South Texas real estate promoters. Agents such as the Hurst And Brundage Company, The Fowler Brother’s Land Company and others advertised the Winter Garden area heavily in the Southern and Eastern United States and recruited many families to move west to their “farming paradise.”  Most of these early settlers, who at one point numbered more than 40,000 in the four county Winter Garden area (comprised of Frio, LaSalle, Dimmit and Zavala counties,) eventually left their farms and returned to where they had come from.  Early Texas Winter Garden settlers soon realized that the climate of the area was better suited for large scale ranching than for vegetable crops. The exodus from the area intensified in the 1930′s, as a severe drought and the Great Depression compounded the problems facing settlers. Although some of the towns mentioned above are still marked by highway signs, many are now just empty fields and farms.

Below is a map of the Winter Garden Area Of South Texas and new oil and gas wells in the Eagle Ford Shale discovery. Green dots represent oil wells, red dots indicate gas wells.

In an around these small communities, such as in the Gardendale Colony Lands Subdivision in LaSalle County, there lie small parcels of land ranging in size of a city lot to ten acres or more which are either still vacant and unfenced or now part of larger ranches. In some cases, the original owner’s walked away and the family forgot about them, and on other parcels property taxes were paid over the years, although they might have been fenced and maintained by an area farmer or rancher who also paid taxes on the land. In some cases, the land may have been sold, but the subsurface mineral rights retained by the seller. Simple phrases inserted into deeds when the land was sold, such as “I reserve for myself, my spouse and all future heirs, all rights to oil and gas which are discovered,  etc…, are all that it takes for you to be an heir to oil and gas riches in South Texas.  Because of this, opportunistic lawyers, mineral rights buyers, oil companies and many others are now pouring over decades – old deeds and wills to locate the heirs who inherited the land or mineral rights in order to make them an offer. In most cases the offer is to buy all of the person’s mineral rights outright. The buyer can then turn around and sell the rights to an oil and gas company or investor for many times the purchase price.  There is nothing wrong with that, per se, but the amounts being offered to unsuspecting persons are downright criminally low. Because Texas counties do not send out tax bills for mineral rights only, many owners forget they even own the rights. In the case of the Texas Winter Garden area, several generations have gone by while forgotten language in land deeds such as “I convey the surface only…” remained forever scribed in ink on hand drawn deeds buried in countless boxes in county courthouses.

Why Not Just Cash The Check?

Many mineral rights buyout offers appear to be little more than borderline scams. The buyer often makes a ridiculously low offer, of something such as a few hundred dollars per acre, and even offers the dumbfounded minerals owner a check which they can immediately endorse and deposit after signing away all their mineral rights. In many cases, the owners of the land live out of state, and haven’t even heard about the Eagle Ford Shale oil discovery in the Texas Winter Garden area. (This major new oilfield covers approximately 20,000 square miles, and there are few, if any, “dry holes”.) In addition to the Eagle Ford Shale oil discovery, a deeper shale rock formation, called the Pearsall Shale, has also been identified as being valuable. (In recent news Osaka Gas Company of Japan paid Cabot Oil more than $14,000 per acre for the rights to drill only the Pearsall Shale, located 2,000′ below the Eagle Ford shale, while retaining all rights to the Eagle Ford Shale.)  This most recent Pearsall Shale transaction could place the value of mineral acreage in some of the Winter Garden area as high as $40,000 or more per acre, if rights were sold outright. (Note: This is a rough estimate, based on transactions such as the one last year by Marathon Oil, where around $21,000 per acre was paid for Eagle Ford Shale leases. Be sure to contact an area attorney for updated information and do not rely on this article as financial advice.)

Below: Twin pumpjacks in motion at night on Eagle Ford Shale Wells in Winter Garden Area Of South Texas.

How Much Are My Minerals In The Eagle Ford Shale Area Worth?

While the Eagle Ford shale oil and gas discovery covers an area more than four hundred miles long by fifty miles wide, not all areas are as valuable to oil companies at the present time. Natural gas prices are currently very depressed, and areas of the Eagle Ford Shale which contain more valuable liquids such as oil and condensate are currently the most sought after. Additionally, the eastern side of the Eagle Ford Shale, from McMullen county northeastward into Karnes, Gonzales and DeWitt counties, has so far produced the highest volume and therefore most profitable wells. The Winter Garden area of the Eagle Ford Shale is still very valuable to oil and gas companies, it’s just that instead of wells initially producing 4,000 barrels per day they may produce 1,000 per day.  In June of 2012, lease rates in the Gardendale area of South Texas were as high as $3,000 or more per acre.  This is only for leasing, mind you, not for purchasing your minerals. A typical oil lease involves a three year “primary term,” with the option to extend the lease for two more years by paying the same price per acre again at the end of year three. In the Eagle Ford Shale, mineral owners often receive one quarter royalties, or one fourth of the proceeds of any oil and gas ever produced from the property. If you have only recently found out that you own minerals in South Texas, it’s because you as an heir to the mineral rights have only just been located.

What To Do If You Get A Check For Your Mineral Rights In Texas

If you receive a check in the mail for mineral rights that you own in Texas, whatever you do,  do not simply cash it without first talking to a lawyer in Texas who is familiar with the Eagle Ford Shale. Cashing any checks that are sent to you could mean you sign away all rights to future royalties if a well is made. If your land is located anywhere, and I mean anywhere, in the Eagle Ford Shale region of Texas, you should sit tight and proceed with caution. Contact an attorney in Texas that understands mineral rights and have them advise you on how to proceed. If you are determined to be the true owner of South Texas mineral rights, but have not yet received a lease offer, then in many cases the attorney can advise you on who to contact.

Check Out Mineral Rights Forums

One good source of potential information about fair mineral rights offers, lease bonus amounts, royalty percentages, and other issues is to join a community of other landowners and minerals owners. You can often find advice from professional landmen and other landownerrs on sites such as Mineral Rights Owners Forum as well as on other similar forum sites.

Pass This Scam Alert On

The Winter Garden region of South Texas is not the only area where there are many long – lost heirs to mineral rights.  If you have been contacted about mineral rights on land you didn’t even know you owned, please feel free to comment below this article.  If you know friends or family who may own mineral rights in South Texas that they may have forgotten about, feel free to pass share this article with them via Facebook or other social media.

Note: This article does not constitute legal advice of any kind. Contact a qualified oil and gas attorney, preferably in South Texas, before making any decisions on what to do about your mineral rights.

  Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition.  In its mild form, psoriasis is little more than an annoyance, but severe, persistent cases of psoriasis can be very distressing, and dangerous, to the sufferer.  Although it most commonly appears on the scalp, the hands and feet, and the knees and elbows, Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, including inside the ears, the mouth, and the genitals.

The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood.  We know that, in psoriasis, the skin cells grow at a more rapid rate than is normal, piling up on the surface of the skin and causing thick red patches of itchy skin.  Those with depressed immune systems, those suffering repeated infections, and those with family members affected, are more likely than others to suffer from psoriasis. Overweight individuals often develop psoriasis in their fat folds.   Although they do not cause psoriasis, some medications, as well as stress, smoking, and cold weather do seem to ‘trigger’ symptoms or make existing symptoms worse.

Psoriasis usually appears as raised, red patches of skin.  The patches may become covered with loose, silvery scales.  The skin may itch and burn.  Because the skin affected is extremely dry, it may bleed if the scales are scratched, causing bleeding and pain.  If the nails are affected, they will be deeply ridged, pitted, and yellow.  In addition to the skin redness, and scales, joints may become swollen and painful.  Symptoms tend to flare up at times, and may even totally disappear.  Unfortunately, they will return.

There are many types of psoriasis, by far the most common is plaque psoriasis, as seen in the photo.  Plaque psoriasis is characterized by patches of raised, reddened skin, covered with silvery scales.  It can occur anywhere on the body and the areas may itch or crack and bleed, causing pain.  Another type of psoriasis attacks the nails.  The pitted, ridged nails may crumble and the layers may separate.  Often the nails will become lose and separate from the nail bed.  Psoriatic arthritis has all the symptoms of the previous two types of psoriasis in addition to stiff, painful joints.  Severe psoriatic arthritis can cause damage to the joints.

If you have any skin condition it is wise to visit your family physician immediately.  Only a physician can decide if you have psoriasis or another skin condition with similar characteristics.   A physician diagnoses psoriasis by means of a physical examination, and by examining a small portion of affected skin.  The skin is removed painlessly, under local anesthetic.

Once your doctor knows exactly what type of psoriasis he is dealing with, he will discuss treatments as well as what measures may naturally alleviate symptoms.  For mild cases, he will prescribe  a lotion or cream.   More severe cases may need, in addition to an ointment, an oral medication.  The aim of all treatments is to slow down the growth of the skin cells and also lessen the itching and inflammation.  Light therapy is also used for psoriasis.  If you do not feel that you are benefiting from one method of treatment, discuss this with your doctor.  There are other treatment options available.

Your doctor will also make suggestions for alleviating symptoms such as; losing weight, stopping smoking, avoiding alcohol, over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms, sun exposure, taking measures to release stress and anxiety, and improving your overall health through proper diet and exercise.

Although psoriasis may be chronic and it may reoccur, do not get discouraged.  Your symptoms can be managed.

Your health affects all facets of your life.  Although you cannot achieve better health overnight, if you make some simple changes to your lifestyle, you will begin to notice improvements in just a few weeks.  These simple steps will give you more energy, help you lose weight, and protect you from a wide variety of diseases, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes.  Here are your ten simple steps to better health.

1.  Consume only  100% whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas.  Whole grains are much lower in fat, and contain vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates that are essential for a healthy body, and for the prevention of disease.

2.  Plan your meals so that each day you eat ‘the rainbow’, that means a variety of at least six different, brightly colored, vegetables and fruits.  Eat fresh, not processes, whenever possible.

3.   Cut down on your red meat.  Substitute meals of skinless chicken, or beans.  If you do eat red meat, do so in moderation, and make sure to remove as much fat as possible.  Bake, broil, poach, or grill your meat.  Fried foods are not your friends.  They are hard on the heart, and on the waistline.

4.  Eliminate, or severely limit, the amount of refined sugar in your diet.  Processed sugar has no food value, and contributes to disease, most notably diabetes.  Soft drinks, pastries, and many cereals are loaded with this dangerous ‘so-called’ food.  It has no place in a healthy diet.

5.  Limit your use of salt.  Your body needs some of the sodium in salt, but too much can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney stones.  Many older recipes add salt to all baked goods.  I have found, after many years of baking, that muffins, cookies, and even bread need little or no salt.  Use herbs to add flavor to foods that you previously salted heavily.

6.  Drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day, and more if the weather is hot or if you are exercising.  All the organs in your body need water to function properly.  Thirst is not a good gauge of your body’s need for water.  By the time you actually feel thirsty, your body has been in need of water for some time. Substitute water for fruit drinks and sugar-laden sodas.  If you want a drink, drink water.  If you want fruit, eat fresh fruit.  It has fiber, another element essential to your health.

8.  Get regular exercise every day.  Exercise controls weight, keeps your heart and lungs healthy, and benefits your immune system.  Any exercise is good exercise.  Swim, garden golf, kayak, ski, skate, do yoga, or walk.  Just keep moving.  Swimming and walking are two things that you can do literally all your life.  If you are in poor condition or obese, start with walking.  Start slowly, and build on small achievements.

9.  If you are a smoker, cut down slowly, and then stop.  This is not easy.  That I can tell you from personal experience, but it can be done.  Smoking can and will kill you, if you do not stop.

10.  Drink only in moderation.

I would add one last piece of advice, and that is to get a medical check-up once a year, and see your doctor immediately if you have any concerns about your health.

Although many people are infected with the tuberculosis bacteria, not all these individuals will become ill.  In the late 1980s, there was a dramatic increase in the number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis.  This was primarily due to the rapid emergence of the aids virus, which suppresses the immune system, and allows the TB bacteria to flourish.  This is not to say that aids in any way causes TB.  Any illness or disease that suppresses the body’s immune system, increases the likelihood that other illnesses and diseases will gain a foothold.  The elderly, the very young, smokers, and those suffering from diseases such as diabetes and cancer, may also find it difficult to fight off the TB bacteria.

Many people carry the TB bacteria within their bodies, but the body’s normal healthy immune system holds it in check.  This is considered to be ‘inactive’ TB.  If, for any reason, the immune system is to weak or undeveloped to handle the bacteria, the disease becomes ‘active’  TB.    Although we think of TB as a lung disease, that is merely the way it starts.  Untreated TB can spread to literally all the organs in the body, causing wasting and irreparable damage.

The initial symptoms of TB, in the lungs, include:

—-a continuous cough, not related to the common cold,

—-pain in the chest, even when merely breathing,

—-and blood in the sputum.

When any of these symptoms appear, it is time to see a doctor.

Other symptoms of TB include:

—-weakness,

—-weight loss,

—-chills and fever,

—-and loss of appetite.

Most cases of TB are relatively easy to treat.  Treatment consists of several prescription drugs, taken for six months or more.  Even if a patient begins to feel much better, it is essential that treatment continues as long as indicated.  If treatment is interrupted or discontinued too early, the disease will flare up again, and possibly become drug resistant.  In the event that a patient feels any side-affects when undergoing treatment, it is important that they report this to their physician immediately.

Because it is vital that treatments for TB continue until the patient has been completely cured, medications are often administered by health professionals.  This way, on-going health can be monitored, and no doses will be overlooked.

In 2009, over one million people, world-wide, died from TB.  Five hundred of these deaths were in the United States.

Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease.  It is spread from one individual to another through drops expelled into the air by coughing or sneezing.  Only early diagnosis and immediate treatment can eradicate this disease.

There are several things that you can do to avoid contracting TB, and also to prevent its spread.

1.  Do all you can to keep healthy and strong.  This includes eating a healthy diet, rich in lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits, getting regular exercise, and adequate rest.  Drink only in moderation and do not smoke.

2.  Have regular medical check-ups, and visit your physician if you have any concerning symptoms.

3.  Avoid those with active coughs.  If you have a cough, wear a surgical mask, until your cough has been completely cured.

4.  If you have an active case of TB, protect others by wearing a surgical mask, and continuing treatment until you physician pronounces your TB cured.

5.  If at all possible, avoid traveling in areas known to have active cases of TB.

6.  If you are in contact with infants, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system, consider being tested for TB on a regular basis.  The test is reasonably priced, and painless.

7.  Practice good hygiene.  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.

In the United States, there is a TB vaccine, which, in rare circumstances, is given to children.  It is not considered to be significantly effective against the lung infection.

  Alabama’s state flower is the beautiful Camellia.  It may have only a few petals or it may have many, as in the example shown.  Some Camellias look almost like roses, while others look like giant carnations.  Camellias come in white, many shades of pink, and red.  They may also be lavender, or mottled pink and white.  In the far east, a true yellow camellia is grown.  Camellias are evergreen, a tree, with thick, usually glossy leaves.  Under ideal growing conditions, camellias grow rapidly, sometimes reaching twenty feet.  The Camellia became the official state flower of Alabama in 1999.

  Alaska’s state flower is the modest little Alpine Forget-me-not.  Forget-me-nots are tiny  flowers that grow in clusters, often carpeting the ground in early spring to mid-summer.  They are usually blue or lavender, and more rarely, pink or white.  The forget-me-not, which is a perennial, does best in  moist soil.  It grows well in gardens, preferably in semi-shaded areas.  The seeds form in small pods, which may catch on the clothing of passers- by, and so be spread to new locations.  The Forget-me-not became Alaska’s official state flower in 1917.

  Arizona’s state flower is the Saguaro Cactus.  The cactus blooms for about a month each year, in early spring.  Each evening the blooms appear, at the top of the cactus ‘arms’.  The following day, these blooms will die and the following evening a new batch of blooms will appear.  The individual blooms are about three inches across, and are milky white with golden centers, and a lovely scent.  If the flowers are pollinated, they will produce a luscious fruit with a red center.  This fruit provides food for many birds and desert creatures.  The fruit is sweet and jelly like, and is enjoyed for its taste as well as for its nutritious value.  The Saguaro Cactus became Arizona’s official state flower in 1931.

  Arkansas’s state flower is the Apple Blossom.  These lovely blossoms form in clusters.  The pink outer petals open onto a white interior. Every spring, thousands travel to see the apple trees bloom.   When pollinated, the trees will provide crops of apples, for which the state was once famous.  Today, the United States produces over seven percent of the world’s apples, with Arkansas producing about one percent of the U.S. crop.  The city of Lincoln hosts the states’s annual apple festival.   The Apple Blossom became Arkansas’s state flower in 1901.

  California’s state flower is the California Poppy, also known as the Cup Of Gold.  These dainty flowers are a favorite in gardens and spreads rapidly in wilder areas.  The four-petaled blooms range from yellow to deep orange, each growing on an individual stem.  The foliage is whispy, not unlike carrot greens.  California poppies are drought tolerant and thrive in sandy soils.  A distant relative of the opium poppy, but containing no opium, the California poppy is used in a variety of  herbal medicines.  The seeds are used in cooking.  The California Poppy became California’s state flower in 1903.

  Colorado’s state flower is the Rocky Mountain Columbine.  The Rocky Mountain Columbine blooms in spring, and early summer.  It prefers cooler areas, moist soil, and partial shade.  The outer five pointed petals are sky blue or lavender, and inner five rounded petals are white, or near white.  This delicate flower grows in the wild, but is also easily grown from seed.  The wild plants are protected and must not be removed from their original site.  the Rocky Mountain Columbine became Colorado’s state flower in 1899.

  Connecticut’s state flower is the Mountain Laurel, which is also the state flower of Pennsylvania.  The Mountain Laurel has lovely, large clusters of fragrant, white or pink blossoms, which show well against its glossy thick leaves.  The overlapping petals of the flower present a cup-like appearance until they open into a star.  When growing in the wild, the Mountain Laurel prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil, but it does bloom best in sunny locations.  In Connecticut and the surrounding area, the Mountain Laurel is an evergreen.  The Mountain Laurel became Connecticut’s official state flower in 1907.

  Delaware’s state flower is the Peach Blossom.  Although it no longer is the most famous ‘peach state’, at one time Delaware was the largest producers of peaches in the United States.   It is therefore no surprise that Delaware chose to name the Peach Blossom as its state flower.  Although many orchards were destroyed by peach blight in the early 1900s, peach trees still set out a profusion of beautiful blooms to herald the approach of the Delaware spring.  The Peach Blossom became Delaware’s official state flower in 1953.

  Florida’s state flower is the Orange Blossom.  This is not surprising as Florida produces over seventy percent of the U.S. orange crop.  In spring the orange trees produce clusters of beautifully-fragrant waxy white blossoms, which perfume the air around the orchards.  The orange blossoms, in addition to producing next years orange crop, are also used in the making of perfume, and the orange oil may be used in cleaning products.  Orange trees are evergreens.  They may produce blossoms while still carrying mature fruit.  The Orange Blossom became Florida’s official state flower in 1909.

  Georgia’s state flower is the Cherokee Rose.  The Cherokee Rose is a hardy specimen, a climbing rose, blooming first in the spring, and also, if conditions are favorable, later in the autumn.  The Cherokee rose has waxy white petal, standing out against the glossy green leaves.  Originally from China and Taiwan, the Cherokee Rose got its name, legend has it,  from the Native Americans who distributed the rose widely along the Trail of Tears.  Cultivated vines grow well with minimal care.  They are reminiscent of wild roses, with bristly, rather than thorny, stems.  The Cherokee Rose became Georgia’s official state flower in 1916.

  Hawaii’s state flower is the Puo Aloalo, the Yellow Hibiscus.  These lovely flowers are indigenous to all the islands in Hawaii.  They come in a wide variety of colors, including whites, yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds, and they bloom virtually continuously.  Although many images depict the red hibiscus as the state flower, it is the Yellow Hibiscus that was formally selected as the state flower.  In lower elevations, the bushes still grow wild.  They are also an integral part of many Hawaiian gardens.  The Yellow Hibiscus became Hawaii’s official state flower in 1988.

 Idaho’s state flower is the wild Syringa or Mock Orange.  The Mock Orange is a wild woody shrub, which can grow to a height of more than eight feet.  The name Mock Orange came from the sweet scent of the waxy white flowers, that form in clusters at the end of the branches.  Mock Orange bloom from early spring to mid-summer.  Native Americans used the Syringa wood for weapons, and the bark for soap.  The Syringa or Mock Orange is very distantly related to the Syringa Lilac.  The Mock Orange became Idaho’s state flower in 1931.

  Illinois’s state flower is the modest little Purple Violet.  In 1908, the Purple Violet edged out the wild rose and the golden rod, to become Illinois’s state flower.  The Purple Violet has five petals, and looks similar to a slender viola or pansy.  The plant is a perennial, growing only about six inches tall.  It blooms profusely in the spring, both in the wild, and in cultivated gardens.  The violet prefers rich, moist soil, and lots of sunshine.  Violets are edible and are frequently used as decorations on pastry.  The Purple Violet became the official state flower of Illinois in 1908.

  Indiana’s state flower is the Peony.  Peonies are luscious many petaled white, pink, or red, flowers, growing on perennial bushes from four to six feet tall.  The blooms start as tight round buds, often covered with ants, which are said to facilitate the opening of the bud.  Actually, the ants are just feeding on the sticky substance that covers the buds.  Peonies do best when they are fed well and the soil is aerated. Peonies are spread by root division, though this should be done only to prevent over-crowding.  The Peony became Indiana’s state flower in 1957.

  Iowa’s state flower is the five-petaled, Wild Prairie Rose.  Wild Prairie Roses bloom on small bushes which die down during the winter and grow anew in spring.  The Wild Prairie Rose is a native to Iowa and various other states, as well as several provinces in Canada.  Masses of these roses bloom wild in prairie areas as well as on the outskirts of forests and along roadways.  The Roses come in a variety of white, and pinks.  They do not livelong when picked.  The wild Prairie Rose became Iowa’s official state flower in 1897.

  Kansas’  state flower is the Sunflower.  Sunflowers are huge cheerful yellow blooms that flourish on the sun-laden plains of Kansas.  The Sunflower is actually not just one, but many flowers.  We first notice the cheerful yellow petals, and then the large central head, which is actually made up of hundreds of small brownish flowers, or florets, which mature into the sunflower seeds, loved by humans and animals alike.  Oil from the seeds is popular for cooking and baking.  The head of the Sunflower turns during the day to follow the path of the sun.  The Sunflower became Kansas’ official state flower in 1903.

  Kentucky’s state flower is the Goldenrod.  There are many different species of Goldenrod, but all have similar golden plumes, consisting of hundreds of blossoms, at the end of the stems.  Goldenrod grows wild in sunny areas and blankets large tracts of ground in mid to late summer.  It is a primarily a wild flower, but can easily be cultivated in garden areas, that are sunny and well drained.  Goldenrod grows throughout North America, attracting bees and other pollinators.  It is also the state flower of Nebraska.  The Goldenrod became Kentucky’s official state flower in 1926.

  Louisiana’s state flower is the magnificent Magnolia.  Louisiana’s Magnolia trees are considered evergreens though they do lose some leaves continuously throughout the year.  The fragrant blossoms are large and creamy white, standing out against the glossy green foliage.  Other species do produce pink and red blossoms.  Magnolias can grow to well over forty feet tall.  They need to be planted where their roods can spread without damaging pipes and walkways.  Magnolias are pollinated, not by bees, but by beetles.  The Magnolia became Louisiana’s state flower in 1900.

  Maine’s state flower is the White Pine Cone And Tassel.  The White Pine, which once covered vast portions of northeastern America, was devastated by logging operations.  Now only about one percent of the original forests remain.  The White Pine can reach heights of almost two hundred feet and some specimens have lived for over four hundred years.  Because of their great height and straight trunk, White Pines were once known as mast trees.  To Native Americans they were known as ‘The Tree Of Peace’.   The sap and ‘tar’ of the tree was used by the Natives for medicinal purposes.  The wood is still highly prized.  White Pine Trees have soft bluish-grey needles, and produce clusters of long, slightly curved, slim cones from four to six inches in length.  The needles form the tassel.  The White Pine and Tassel is not a flower, but the history of the tree, in the state of Maine, made it important enough to be chosen as the state ‘flower’.  The white Pine Cone And Tassel became Maine’s state flower in 1895.

  Maryland’s state flower is the Black-eyed Susan.  The Black-eyed Susan thrives in sunny areas throughout North America.  It is a tough little biennial, or short-lived perennial, that requires little attention in order to grow, and spread.  From spring to autumn, Black-eyed Susans brighten fields and roadsides, as well as many gardens,with their brilliant yellow petals.  The plant has many uses in traditional medicine.  The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and in the wild, the plant provides food for deer and other wildlife.  The Black-eyed Susan became Maryland’s state flower in 1918.

  Massachusetts’ state flower is the Trailing Arbutus.  The Trailing Arbutus, also called the Mayflower and Ground Laural, thrives in sandy soil and grows low to the ground, where it puts out long branches which ‘trail’ along the ground.  In early spring, the fragrant waxy white to pink blossoms appear, contrasting pleasingly with its hairy, dark green leaves.  The Trailing Arbutus is an herb, and is used as a diuretic, and to treat infections.  Although primarily a wild flower, the Trailing Arbutus will grow well in gardens, providing it gets lots of shade.  The trailing Arbutus became the official state flower of Massachusetts in 1918.

  Michigan’s state flower is the lovely, fragrant Apple Blossom.  The Apple Blossom was chosen as state flower, by both Arkansas and Michigan.  While Arkansas’s  still produces some apples, Michigan now ranks as one of the three top apple-producing states.  Apple growing plays a vital role in the economy of Michigan.  Many orchards have been family owned for generations, and today’s farmers are dedicated to the production of a healthy crop, grown with concern for the environment and the welfare of orchard workers.  The Apple Blossom became Michigan’s state flower in1897.

  Minnesota’s state flower is the Pink and White Lady’s Slipper.  The Pink and White Lady’s Slipper is a rare little wild flower, protected by Minnesota law, from being picked or unearthed.  Also known as the the Queen’s Lady’s Slipper, the Pink and White Lady’s slipper grows in boggy, but open areas, and is difficult to cultivate away from its natural habitat.  It blooms only in early spring, and a single plant can live up to fifty years.  Loss of habitat makes sightings of the orchid-like little flower, rare.  The Lady’s slipper became the official state flower of Minnesota in 1967.

  Mississippi’s state flower is the Magnolia, as is Louisiana’s.  Both states picture the creamy white Magnolia, though the flowers may also be pink (as above), and red, as well as yellow.  Mississippi Magnolia trees are also deciduous.  They are often called tulip trees because of the shape of the flower as it opens.  The pollen from Magnolias is rich in protein, which attracts the beetles, which in tern pollinate the trees.  Magnolia trees are slow getting started, but once established, they can live for over one hundred years.  The Magnolia became Mississippi’s official state flower in 1952.

  Missouri’s state flower is the Hawthorne.  The Hawthorn produces clusters of white blossoms, similar in appearance to apple blossoms.  The Hawthorn is a small bush or tree.  Once the blossoms have fallen, small apple-like fruit appear, which provide food for birds and small animals.  Missouri is home to over eighty species of Hawthorn.  The Hawthorne became Missouri’s official state flower in 1923.

  Montana’s state flower is the Bitterroot.  Bitterroot is a low growing perennial, bearing single blossoms on the end of leafless stems.  Bitterroot grows in rocky areas, and the blooms appear in early spring.  The flowers are from white to dark pink.  The root is bitter to the taste, but Native Americans made it palatable  by cooking and mashing it together with berries and meat.  They also cleaned and dried the roots, and used them for barter.  The seeds of the Bitterroot provide food for small mammals.  Bitterroot became Montana’s state flower in 1895.

  Nebraska’s state flower is the Goldenrod.  Although mostly seen in its golden form, Goldenrod may also be cream-colored.  Tall stands of Goldenrod can be found in both dry and wet locations, in woodlands, and along long stretches of seashore.  It is a perennial, and, by many, is considered to be a medicinal herb.  It is used, primarily in Europe, as a diuretic and for a variety of infections and digestive system problems.  Native Americans used it boiled, as an antiseptic and for eczema and arthritis.  Unfortunately Goldenrod is one of the primary causes of allergies.  Goldenrod became the official state flower of Nebraska in 1985.

  Nevada’s state flower is the Sagebrush.  Sagebrush is a sturdy little greyish-blue bush or small tree, which bears clusters of yellow flowers in late summer.  It is extremely heat tolerant and thrives in the dry areas of the west.  Normally the fragrant Sagebrush is only a few feet in height, but in wet areas it can increase to ten feet in size.  Sagebrush is a perennial evergreen and acts as a food source for both wild and domesticated animals.  Native Americans used Sagebrush for medicinal purposes.  The Sagebrush became Nevada’s official state flower in 1967.

  New Hampshire’s state flower is the Purple Lilac.  The Purple Lilac is a large bush, that puts out cylindrical clusters of very fragrant blossoms in early spring.  Lilacs can be pruned into hedges or left to grow into small trees, which can reach heights of over thirty feet. They are very hardy and can live for hundreds of years.  The wood of the Lilac is extremely hard and has been used in the making of musical instruments.  Lilacs came originally from Europe, and are now one of the nations most popular garden residents.  In addition to purple, lilacs also come in white, yellow, pink, and lavender, though the deep purple and lavender are by far the most popular.  Lilac wood is excellent for carving and the flowers are used in the making of perfume.  The flowers are edible, and also have medicinal value.  The Purple Lilac became New Hampshire’s official state flower in 1919.

  New Jersey’s state flower is the Purple Violet.  Violets bloom in early spring and prefer rich, moist, shaded soil.  These tiny gems are among the first harbingers of spring.  Although primarily a wild flower, Violets will do well in any shady garden corner.  They spread quickly, but can be controlled by thinning.  Violets are often used to decorate  baked goods, and the leave are used in salads.  There are hundreds of different species of Violets, which come in shades of violet, as well as white, and yellow.  Most species thrive outdoors.  The species that thrives best indoors is the African violet.  Some consider the purple Violet a symbol of love, and the white Violet a symbol of innocence.  The Violet became New Jersey’s official state flower in 1971.

  New Mexico’s state flower is the Yucca Flower.  There are many different types of Yucca, which may thrive in hot, dry dessert areas, in many gardens, and also indoors.  New Mexico’s Yucca Flowers grow on the end of tall erect stems of the  sturdy perennial Yucca Plant.  Before opening, the creamy white blossoms have a tulip shape.  They hang like beautiful bells from high above the sword-like foliage.  The buds open into large six petaled blossoms, which are often used as decorative garnishes.  The flowers, and fruit, of some Yuccas, may be eaten raw or fried, the leaves used for weaving, and the roots used for making soap.  The Yucca Flower became New Mexico’s state flower in 1927.

  New York’s state flower is the Rose.  The Rose is the most-loved of all flowers.  There are literally hundreds of varieties of Roses, wild, cultivated, miniature, climbing, and bush, of every imaginable size and color, even blue.  Roses bloom from early spring to late autumn.  In some areas, there are species that will produce blossoms year round.  Although some Rose have little scent, most have a heavenly scent that, once inhaled, is never forgotten.  To most, the Rose is a symbol of love, evidenced by the fact that it is the most common gift given at Valentines Day.  The Rose became New York’s state flower in 1955.

  North Carolina’s state flower is the American Dogwood.  The American Dogwood is a small deciduous tree, wider that it is tall.  The Dogwood grows best in moist soil, in an area, where it gets equal parts of sun and shade.  Although the flowers of the American Dogwood are small, they show up beautifully against the tree’s dark green leaves.  Dogwood blossoms appear in small and greenish clusters, but each cluster is surrounded by four snowy white, or occasionally pink bracts (specialized leaves), often mistaken for flower petals.  The fruit of the Dogwood provides food for birds and small animals.  The American Dogwood is also the state flower of Virginia.  The American Dogwood became North Carolina’s state flower in 1941.

  North Dakota’s state flower is the Wild Prairie Rose, as is Iowa’s.  Wild Prairie Roses bloom in profusion in fields, meadows, and along roadsides.  The study little rose blooms in clusters, low to the ground, from early spring throughout the summer.  The flower has five pink to deep rose petals and a profusion of stamens.  The stems are without thorns, and the flower does have a strong rose scent.  The petals can be eaten or used as a garnish.  Wild Prairie Rose hips, like all rose hips, are rich in vitamin C.  The Wild Prairie Rose became North Dakota’s state flower in 1907.

  Ohio’s state flower is the Scarlett Carnation.  The Scarlet Carnation, the Lamborn Red, looks almost like a small rose except that the petals are serrated.  Carnations are a cultivated flower with a lovely scent, and are beautiful in their natural state or as a cut flower.  The Red Carnation was chosen as the state flower in honor of President William McKinley, governor of Ohio and later 25th president of the United States.  President McKinley loved the Scarlet Carnation, he once received from it’s propagator Dr. Levi Lamborn, after whom the carnation was named.  The President always chose the Scarlet Carnation as a boutonniere, and it is said that he was wearing one on the day of his assassination in 1901.  The Scarlett Carnation became Ohio’s state flower in 1904.

  Oklahoma’s state flower is the Oklahoma Rose.  The Oklahoma Rose is a heavily-petaled dark-red tea rose, with a strong fragrance.  The blooms are large and the petals are so dark, that at times they appear almost black.  In 2004, the Oklahoma Rose replaced the previously chosen mistletoe as the state flower.  It is an extremely hardy rose, resistant to a variety of common rose diseases.  The Oklahoma Rose became Oklahoma’s state flower in 2004.

  Oregon’s state flower is the Oregon Grape.  The Oregon Grape is a tall evergreen bush with dark, glossy, holly-like leaves.  In the late spring it produces clusters of bright yellow blossoms that will later produce the purple to blue berries – not true grapes – that give it it’s name.  The berries, which attract a variety of wildlife, can be used in the making of wines, jams, and jellies.  The Oregon Grape is native to coastal regions from British Columbia, in Canada, to the northern parts of California.  Herbalists use parts of the plant for medicinal purposes.  The Oregon Grape became Oregon’s state flower in 1899.

  Pennsylvania’s state flower is the Mountain Laural, as is that of Connecticut.  The clusters of flowers, which appear in early spring, and continue into late summer, are from white to pink and almost red, and show beautifully against the dark leathery leaves.  The Mountain Laural is poisonous to livestock.  It is related to the rhododendron.  Although most appreciated in the wild, the popular state flower is often used for landscaping.  In spite of the fact that the Mountain Laural is used for medicinal reasons, caution is necessary as it has some unfavorable interactions.  The Mountain Laurel became Pennsylvania’s state flower in 1933.

  Rhode Island’s state flower is the Common Blue Violet, as is New Jersey’s.  Violets, which are commonly blue, but may also be purple, yellow or white, have been cultivated since around 500 B.C. , when a crown of Violets was thought to prevent headache.   Parts of the plant are still considered to have medicinal properties and are used to combat pain, as an expectorant, and an antiseptic.  The plant provides food for a variety of insect and animals.  Both the flowers and the leave can be consumed by humans.  The flower is also used in the making of perfume, as well as to flavor foods.  The Violet became the state flower of Rhode Island in 1968.

  South Carolina’s state flower is the Yellow Jessamine.  The Yellow Jessamine is an evergreen vine that produces clusters of yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.  Although butterflies are attracted to the fragrant blossoms, all parts of the plant are poisonous to livestock.  Growing best in full sun, the plant is used both as a climber, as well as in ground cover.  The oil from the plant is used in perfume, as it’s scent is virtually impossible to duplicate artificially.  Yellow Jessamine blooms in very early spring.  The Yellow Jessamine became the state flower of South Carolina in 1924.

  South Dakota’s state flower is the Pasque Flower.  The Pasque Flower is a bell-shaped wild flower that ranges in color from white to dark purple, always with a ring of copious bright yellow stamens.  The perennial grows low to the ground, in early spring, and prefers south-facing slopes.  It is plentiful throughout the west from the northern United States to Alaska.  The Pasque Flower is also known as the prairie crocus or prairie smoke, because the hairy stems and leaves give a smoky appearance when the plants grow in groups.  The Pasque Flower is used in herbal medicines.  The Pasque Flower became the state flower of South Dakota in 1903.

  Tennessee’s state flower is the Iris.  There are well over one hundred species of Iris, which come in many colors, white, yellows, pink, red, green, lavender to dark purple, blue, and brown.  Some Iris are more than one color.  Although the petals may be frilled in different manners, the form of the flower is always the same, with three petals hanging down, and three standing erect.  Growing from a bulb-like root, the Iris appear in early spring, each erect stem producing upwards of five flowers.  One of the most popular cultivated flowers, the Iris lasts well as a cut flower.   The Iris became the state flower of Tennessee in 1933.

  Texas’s state flower is the Bluebonnet.  In early spring, Bluebonnets blanket roadsides and fields throughout the state of Texas, as well as other southwestern states.  Extremely drought tolerant, Bluebonnets need well-drained soil to thrive.  Masses of blossoms coat the tall central stem, with those at the top of the stalk fading to white.  Bluebonnets also come in deep pink, again fading to white at the top of the stalk.  Looking at the flowers individually, they do look like tiny blue ladies’ bonnets.  Although the germination of Bluebonnet seeds ‘in captivity’ is only about 20 %, Texas Bluebonnets can be grown in home gardens, providing the soil is well drained, the seeds are sown in the late fall, and lightly covered with soil, and providing the gardener has patience.  The Bluebonnet became the state flower of Texas in 1901.

  Utah’s state flower is the Sego Lily.  Tulip-like Sego Lilies, also called Mariposa Lilies, appear in early spring.  Each plant produces only a single creamy white blossom on its upright stem.  The central part of each of its three petals is beautifully marked in purple and gold, or red and gold.  Yellow Sego Lilies are also common.  The bulbs of Sego Lilies are eaten by small rodents, and sheep and cattle graze on the foliage.  The bulb is palatable and in times past has proven to be a precious food source to pioneers in the area. The Sego Lily became Utah’s state flower in 1911.

  Vermont’s state flower is the Red Clover.  Red Clover is actually a dome-like cluster of many lovely pink or red flowers, which grow at the end of each erect stem.  The plant is only about six to eight inches tall and each cluster of flowers is no more than an inch wide.  Grown throughout the northern states as a fodder for livestock, Red Clover has proven to be a rich source of protein and other nutrients.  In addition to its value as animal food, Red Clover has proven to have a variety of medicinal properties, for which the blossoms are picked and dried.  Although Red Clover is a valuable crop for a variety of reasons, it still grows wild throughout the fields and along the roadsides of Vermont, adding color and beauty to the spring landscape.  Red Clover became Vermont’s state flower in 1895.

  Virginia’s state flower is the American Dogwood, as it is the state flower of North Carolina.   The Dogwood Tree has a distinct bark, that looks more like stacked irregularly shaped blocks that it does conventional bark.  It is by this bark that the Dogwood can be distinguished from any other tree.  When the small flowers at the center of the four bracts are fertilized, they will produce small green fruit, which ripen to red in the autumn.  Although most think of Dogwood as white, many are red, as seen above.  The American Dogwood became Virginia’s state flower in 1918.

  Washington’s state flower is the Rhododendron Macrophyllum, also called the Coast Rhododendron.   This Rhododendron, growing at the edge of forests or in deforested areas, is  considered a large bush, or a small tree.  It is an evergreen that blooms in the early spring to mid-summer, with large clusters of pink to violet flowers showing well against the large, smooth, leather-like leaves.  Coast Rhododendrons can be found from the west coast of Canada, south to California.  Rhododendrons are considered toxic to both humans and wildlife.  It is illegal to uproot the coast Rhododendron.  The Rhododendron Macrophyllum became Washington’s state flower in 1959.

West Virginia’s state flower is the Rhododendron Maximum, also called the Great Laural.  This Rhododendron is a large evergreen bush, which can grow to well over thirty feet.  They flourish in the wild as well as in home gardens.  Blooming in early spring to mid summer, the clusters of flowers are large, closely packed, and showy.  Wildly blooming bushes may have flowers in white, pink, or violet.  There is also a cultivated variety of purple Rhododendron Maximum.  While this bush affords protection for small mammals, it is also toxic if ingested.  The Rhododendron Maximum became West Virginia’s state flower in 19o3.

  Wisconsin’s state flower is the Wood Violet.  Violets are most commonly purple, but they can also appear in blue, white and yellow.  Violets are one of the first flowers to appear in early spring and are a joy to hikers and gardeners alike.  In the home garden, Violets prefer a shady corner, with moist, but well-drained, soil.  The tiny blossoms stand on upright stems, above a bed of dark green (edible) leaves.  Violet leaves add nutrition to a green salad.  They are also eaten cooked, like early spinach.  The Wood violet became Wisconsin’s state flower in 1949.

 Wyoming’s state flower is the Indian Paintbrush.  The brilliant scarlet of the flower, also aptly called Prairie Fire, shows that spring is well on its way.   What appears as the petals of the flower are actually bracts, that hide the real flowers, which are tiny and green.  Indian Paintbrush is a partly-parasitic plant, living on the roots of other plants that grows in rocky areas of scrub.  Because their life depends on the roots of other plants, Indian Paintbrush is almost impossible to transplant.  Usually associated with the color red, Indian Paintbrush can also occur in yellow, orange, or purple.  Indian Paintbrush was used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, and for washing hair.  The Indian Paintbrush became Wyoming’s state flower in  1917.

This weekend my wife and I decided to make a version of a cinder block planter wall for succulents that we had once seen in the courtyard of a coffee shop in Austin, Texas. We made this DIY cinder block planter wall or cement block wall, in about four hours, not including the time spent going to the home improvement store to buy the cinder blocks, paint and plants. The total cost for this cinderblock divider wall was only about $140. We built this simple concrete planter wall to provide shade, privacy and a place to place plants on our front porch. It was placed in an open space between two columns on a stained concrete front porch. It was a relatively easy project that required a minimum of tools and materials. Below is a photo of the completed cement block  planter wall. It is not perfect, and there are a few things that I would have done differently, (such as taking more care in laying the blocks,) but overall we were pleased with the results and the value for the money spent. This DIY cinder block planter / privacy wall measures approximately 5′ wide by 6.5′ tall. It consists of 40 cinder blocks.

You May Click On Any Of The Photos Below To Enlarge

Here are the materials you will need to build a cinder block planter wall of similar size:

                                            Materials

• 40 cement 15 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ blocks. (Sometimes these are referred to as “cinder blocks.” ($1.30 each.)
• 4 Large tubes of Loctite PL375 adhesive and a large caulking gun. ($5.00 per tube.)
• 1 bag of mortar to level the surface, if needed. Otherwise, use PL375 to glue blocks down. ($8.00.)
• 2 cans (1 box) of Synta Deck Restore, tinted to the color of your choice. ($39.00.) If you want to hide the block seams, buy an extra kit of Deck Restore and do another coat.
• 14 plastic terra cotta color pots. ($1.75)
• 14 various succulents. (Average of less than $1.00 each.) Tip: Buy a large pre – potted planter that has several type of succulents and break them apart to save money.
• Metal “L brackets” to secure wall to wood posts at 2′ intervals.
• Masonry screw anchors.

                                        Tools

• Large size caulking gun.
• Masonry trowel
• Paint roller handle.
• Tub to mix mortar in, if mortar is needed to level base.
• Medium size paintbrush.
• Rough paint roller.
• 4′ level
• Gloves
• Drop cloth or plastic sheeting.
• Drill and masonry bit.

Cinder Block Planter Wall Instructions:

Measure the length of the area in which you want to build your cinder block planter wall and decide what height you want to make it. ( Important Note: I do not recommend using this method to build a 6.5′ free standing wall out in the open. These instructions are for a wall that is held captive, or which fits up against, or within a structure to help support it.) If your planter wall is going to be out in the open, where it could potentially be knocked over by someone placing all of their weight against it, you need to use a different building method in which you have re-bar coming up out of a new cement foundation to help hold the blocks in place.

Next, divide the length of the area where your wall will go by 15.5″. This will give you roughly the number of blocks needed for each course. The actual number of blocks will depend on how many blocks jutting out from the wall you desire, and if you want planters on both sides of the wall, as we made ours.  Next, draw a rough sketch of how you want your planter to look, and how you plan to lay your blocks. You may want to lay the blocks dry, and experiment before doing anything permanent.

Start by making sure that the base is level. (Hint: This is the key to the whole project.)  If you do not have a concrete base to lay the first course of cinder blocks on, you will have to build a form and pour a level base. These instructions assume that you are going to be building your wall on an existing concrete base. Next, if you need to level the foundation, mix up a batch or mortar and use your trowel to lay a course of mortar. If you don’t need to use mortar, then lay a generous bed of PL375 to glue the blocks down.

(Click On Photos To Enlarge.)

Apply a generous amount of PL375 adhesive beneath and between the blocks as you go. Also use it to caulk the seams on the outsides of the wall. Wipe off any excess before it dries and tap errant blocks into place before it hardens. You will find that blocks jutted out will not stand in place on their own. Place another concrete block  on top of them to hold them down until the adhesive dries. Having a helper to hold jutted out cinder blocks in place while you lay the next course is a plus. As you lay each course of blocks, try to stagger them so that there is a 1/2 block lying over each seam below it. This is not always possible. Some home improvement stores sell 1/2 cinder blocks, which can come in very handy to achieve this.

We decided not to put bottoms in our cinder block planters. Instead, we used plastic “terra cotta” pots which fit snugly in the holes. If you wish to put a bottom in the blocks, you can cut sections of concrete pavers using a masonry saw, and glue them into the bottom of the block. Although not seen in the photo, the wall was secured to the wood post on the left and the rock wall on the right using “L” brackets and masonry screws at 2′ intervals to prevent it from being knocked over.

Disclaimer: Always follow your local building codes and proper building procedures for your area. These instructions are provided for idea purposes only and will not apply to all circumstances where a more secure method of supporting the wall is required.

Just one more tip: We used a Lowes 10% off coupon at Home Depot to save about $15 on our project. You can buy these for about a buck each here on eBay: Buy Project Starter Coupons

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions on how this project worked out for you, and what improvements you made to it. Have fun!