Why I’m afraid of cats and not bougainvilleas is a mystery; my favorite plant seems far more intent on scratching my face off than any kitty I’ve ever encountered.
And who needs Fourth of July fireworks? I’ve come thisclose to putting an eye out several times in the garden.
Still, I never seem to remember to get myself a pair of safety glasses.
But as the editor of the 4you health and fitness section, I learn scary stuff like this: According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s sixth annual Eye Injury Snapshot, nearly half of the eye injuries Americans suffer annually happen in and around the home, in common places like the lawn, garden, kitchen or garage.
The academy says 90 percent of those injuries could be prevented simply by wearing protective eye wear.
OK, I know what you’re thinking (and just stop it right now). Sunglasses don’t count. Safety eyewear (both the lenses and the frames) must conform to a higher standard of impact resistance than regular eyeglasses or sunglasses. If a branch crashes down on you, you want those suckers to hold up.
If you’re using cost as your excuse, forget that, too. Many safety glasses cost less than $10.
Here’s some more info from the Eye Injury Snapshot:
• Three-quarters of those injured were male.
• The number of eye injuries suffered by children increased from previous surveys: Children 12 years of age or younger represented one in five injuries, well above the previous five-year survey average of 15.5 percent.
• The yard and garden were the place people were most likely to suffer an injury in the home.
• More than 45 percent of injuries occur between noon and 6 p.m.
I wouldn’t think of going out without my gloves, sunscreen and a hat. I’m adding goggles to the list. Sure, the goggles are a little funky looking – but who cares about that when I’m working in the dirt? (And I’m pretty sure I’d look even funkier with a big patch over my eye.)
Singer Beyoncé Knowles wants her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, to school young girls. The singer and her mother, Tina Knowles, plan to launch a new junior apparel label, Sasha Fierce for Deréon, for back to school selling, Women’s Wear Daily reported.
Sasha Fierce is also the name of Beyonce’s third solo album, “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” and the singer’s world tour. The line includes a full range of sportswear and accessories. The jewelry, shoes and eyewear, Tina added, “are really over the top” while the clothing is a little more subdued to make the accessories stand out. Think one-shoulder dresses, black bodysuits, fake leather jackets with oversize collar, leggings and destructed jeans with mesh and lace details lining the ripped material.
The collection, Tina said, is “edgier and trendier and reflects Sasha Fierce’s daring and outgoing attitude.” You can look for the line in Dillard’s and Macy’s stores later this summer.
By the looks of Mizz B’s Sasha Fierce outfits, a lot of young girls are going to be sent to the principle’s office. I’m just sayin’!
George Ball, chair of the Burpee seed company, has an Independence Day proposition: Change our national flower from the rose to the sunflower.
Roses, he argues on his blog, are nearly all immigrants (let’s just disregard that whole melting pot thing, George). He says they seem “strikingly out of place amid Independence Day’s blaze of red, white and blue.” Red roses? That clashes?
And, he says, they’d never, ever feel comfortable at a good old-fashioned beer-swilling, flip-floppin’ July 4th picnic.
I beg to differ. I can totally see a rose at this picnic.
I have problems with George’s logic, but I do think we can do better than the rose. Roses say love, and love and revolution mix best in a John Jakes novel. I love sunflowers, but they’re not the answer. Yes, they’re cheerful, optimistic and big cash cows – all reflective of our red-white-and-blue values. But it seems as soon as they bloom, they nod their big heads like heroin addicts and then crash in a stupor.
Sure that’s a societal trait, but one we want to celebrate?
How about the dandelion, instead?
Oh yeah, I hear the Yanks: “They’re weeds!” But not if you subscribe to the theory that weeds are just flowers growing where they’re not invited. I, for one, would love those bright yellow blooms in my “lawn.”
As for symbolism, is it not the American way to pop up where we’re not welcome? When they turn to fuzz balls, we make a wish and blow. I do believe that’s horti-talk for “seeking the American dream.”
OK, I know dandelions will splat alongside Ben Franklin’s bid for the turkey as national bird. So I’m officially casting my ballot for the apple blossom.
It’s beautiful, it fruits, and if you know someone who bakes, it becomes apple pie. The whole “American as apple pie” is, of course, a misnomer. But it did come from the mother country and it’s fun to think we told England, “You go. The pie stays.”
After much deliberation, Kim is nominating the daisy.
Like Americans, it respects the pursuit of happiness – it loves full sun and rich soil, she says. But also like Americans, it will tolerate poor conditions without withering.
The daisy is simple but beautiful, and versatile. You can grow it in almost any garden, and it’s a staple for just about any bouquet. You can grow your own from seed or adopt a plant and bring it home knowing it will almost always thrive.
Anyone have a better idea? I’m sure George is just itching for us to weigh in.
Amie Gerodimos, 16, of Clearwater, and Tresson Canly, 17, of St. Petersburg are one crafty duo. The pair designed this look for their prom in about 100 hours using about 40 rolls of duct tape.
Now, they are finalists in the 2009 Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest and they’ve got a chance to win a $3,000 scholarship prize. But you have to vote for them (#232) at: www.stuckatprom.com.
Notice the duct tape flowers, rusching and bow in the back. Let’s get this worthy (local) couple some scholarship cash!
Go vote now! www.stuckatprom.com
You only have until midnight tomorrow.
It’s been almost a week since Michael Jackson died and we’ve been moved by the outpouring of grief from fans lighting candles, dancing in the streets, leaving notes and flowers at Neverland and on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It was only a matter of time, the King of Pop would be immortalized in butter.
This just in from the folks at the Iowa State Fair: A butter sculpture of MJ will be on display with the annual butter cow at this year’s fair. Both will be in a 40 degree cooler. The fair is in Des Moines from Aug. 13-23, so you can plan your summer road trip accordingly.
If you want to make it an all MJ sculpture trip, you can detour to Legoland in California where tomorrow they are unveilling a permanent four-inch MJ as part of their Hollywood display. Wearing a red leather jacket and glove, Jackson will be seen getting out of a limo at Mann’s Chinese Theater. The marquee will say “Thriller.”
Legos and butter. Any moment now I’ll get a news release saying Hershey’s will be immortalizing him in chocolate, or that he’s going to be installed at Mount Rushmore next to Lincoln. Hmm, let’s see, what else: Michael in marshmallow “Fluff” or as a Tournament of Roses Parade float. It could happen.
I guess ice is a given.
RIP, Michael.
After six years, Jennifer Lopez has decided to shut down her Sweetface fashion label.
The singer/actress, who was among the first celebrities to launch a clothing line, told Women’s Wear Daily she plans to reintroduce her contemporary sportswear brand in the near future with a new fashion point of view. No word yet on when that will be. But for now, the Spring 2009 line will be the last one in stores.
This shouldn’t come as a big surprise. In 2007, she shut down her JLO clothing line in the US after a few years. And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lopez photographed wearing any of the clothes or shoes from her designs (that says something).
Most likely, Sweetface will end up like the JLO line - sold in freestanding franchise stores and in countries outside the U.S.
So, if love you some Sweetface, better stock up now.
If you’re not familiar with the line, here are some looks from the collection.
There’s a story in the Trib today that Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s beloved chimp, is living at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula.
As a matter of fact, when you go to the center’s Web site, you learn that Bubble is the “featured resident.”
He’s described as smart distinctive and tender. Our story said he has yet to be told of his former owner’s death. Sniff.
For $10,000 you can become Bubbles’ exclusive adoptive “parent” for on year and have the opportunity for “a unique overnight stay in a guest cabin on sanctuary grounds.”
That sounds more like a trip to Neverland, to me.
Can Twitter and Facebook save a tortilla business?
“Taco Tammy” Young is about to find out. Her bank, however, is far from pleased.
Young is harnessing the word-of-mouth power of those social media sites, as well as Flickr, YouTube and Digg, to boost support nationwide for her Tampa tortilla company, La Bonita Ole’, which is in the midst of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
The Save the Tortillas campaign, spearheaded online by Julia Gorzka of BrandTampa.com, tells the story of “Taco Tammy.” Visitors at SaveTheTortillas.com are urged to sign a petition, buy the company’s Tam-X-ico’s tortillas and Wrap-itz wraps and e-mail stores asking them to stock the products. Young’s mom, Ali Davenport, even stars in a video clip.
The site begs SunTrust bank, to which La Bonita Ole’ owes $1.9 million in loans, to “be a hero” by allowing Young to remain as CEO and president and by extending the length of payments instead of selling the company. “We want people to invite our tortillas to be the life of the party,” Young says.
One problem: SunTrust doesn’t like Young’s multimedia party.
SaveTheTortillas.com contains misinformation and violates federal regulations by soliciting creditors before they can learn about SunTrust’s reorganization plan, the bank’s attorneys say.
SunTrust declined in July 2008 to extend financing for two loans, despite Young’s good payment history. On July 10, both sides will submit separate plans to creditors for a vote on which repayment strategy to follow. If creditors choose SunTrust, Young will lose the company and be divested of stock.
Worried the social media campaign will taint the process, the bank on Friday asked federal judge Michael G. Williamson in Tampa to shut down SaveTheTortillas.com and stop La Bonita Ole’ from using the likes of Twitter to sway creditors’ opinions before the vote.
On Monday, Williamson heard three hours of arguments during what he described as a “once-in-a-career” case. Legal precedents exist for using Web sites to influence bankruptcy court outcomes, but social media has yet to have its day in court.
Attorney Lynn Welter Sherman, representing SunTrust, said Young would have an unfair advantage because anyone with a computer could find the pitch for public support.
“It sure smells like a solicitation to me,” she said.
Sherman also attacked the site’s depiction of company financial information, description of Young’s debt payment history and the claim that 40 employees would lose their jobs if she was not in charge.
Williamson agreed with SunTrust Monday afternoon, ordering a rewrite of the Web site’s text by midnight Wednesday. He declined to close the site or order the media campaign stopped.
“This has been an interesting day,” Williamson said before leaving the bench.
Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Gail Storms, Billy Mays and Fred Travalena.
No, not Fred, too!
Seriously, since when did the stairway to heaven become an escalator?
I’ve been hip deep at work posting obit updates, cause of death statements and cropping photos of crying fans. I allowed my eyes to cloud over when when a colleague filed a remembrance piece on Michael. Sniff.
Yesterday I finally got the chance to think about how I felt about them all, but especially Michael. Sure, I watched Ed for years and wanted Farrah’s hair, but I’m very conflicted about Michael. The highs, the lows, the molestation charges, the general weirdness.
And then I went on iTunes and started downloading music. And that’s what I’m choosing to focus on. “Got to be There,” “Billie Jean,” “Off the Wall,” etc .. all brilliant. Would he have comeback strong with the London concerts? We’ll never know, but he’s left us a lot to listen to.
Dear Neighbors,
Please. Kill your lubbers.
I know they’re yours because I already killed mine. Months ago. When they were teeny-tiny. I knew what they’d grow up to be so I got ‘er done.
You didn’t, and now your Eastern lubber grasshoppers are the size of small dogs. Small herbivorous dogs completely encased in body armor. And they’ve discovered my yard. Which has led me to do things I never thought I would.
It’s hard to kill small dogs encased in body armor. It’s harder still if you’re the kind of person who rights upside-down beetles and rescues lizards from cats. I wouldn’t even swat a fly (unlike a certain president).
But it’s us against the lubbers. No animal in its right mind eats them.
The other day, while snipping scaly branches off a jatropha, I came face to face with yet another lubber. (Your lubber, dear neighbor.) I reached out and snipped him in two with my garden shears. Just like that. Heartless.
It was a first for me. It is not who I am.
But snipping is, at least, humane.
The next day, I came upon a lubber on a mammoth sunflower. Having no shears handy, I picked up two rocks and clapped them together. The cold spray of lubber guts on my neck was — ohmygosh. But even worse was looking down and seeing the poor crushed creature still trying to get up. The heavily armored do not go gentle …
This isn’t the soothing tranquility I seek in my garden. And I don’t like what I’m becoming.
So please, beloved neighbors, kill your lubbers.
I’m not asking you to put a Cuban tree frog in a baggie in the freezer, or even to stop feeding the Muscovy ducks so they’ll move away. Just the lubbers.
Cause they’re eating your garden, too.
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