A Flowers Tale

A Flower’s Tale BY LISA S.T. DOSS*

The wait for a change of weather ends not with the calendar, but the temperature of the soil. As nights feel a little warmer, we start to look for signs indicating spring is on the way. Underground, soils rise between 50 and 60 degrees, which prompts the start of bulb development and awakens the dormancy of plants. Finally, we look at the ground, pushing away crisp brown leaves to uncover the first flowers—daffodils, snowdrops, crocus, Adonis, creeping Myrtle, and Glory-of-the-Snow. Limbs reveal buds on the flowering quince, a dense, thorny shrub, the Forsythia bush, maples, and the Magnolia. Weeds, too, such as the despised dandelion, make the list of the first blossoms to help nurture the starving pollinators. While almanacs and growing charts enable the eager gardener to begin planting based on dates, the appearance of spring’s first flowers provides an unexpected “tale” of vital information.

Days of Dormancy Do you recall the days after Christmas when daytime temperatures reached 70 degrees, and it felt like a return to summer? Nature, of course, responded in a confused way to the glorious weather, and began developing buds. As days of warmth continued, some buds opened to reveal flowers. It takes substantial energy to awaken a plant, shrub, and tree from dormancy. Just imagine waking at 3 AM and being asked to lift 200 pounds! The act sounds impossible! Every living species needs a period of deep slumber to rejuvenate and prepare for the next event. Most chilling requirements range from existing at 32 to 45 degrees and include a specific number of hours. North Carolina’s apple trees, for instance, need a range of 750 to 1000 plus hours to prevent trees from blossoming too soon, while peach trees only require 200 to 1000 plus hours. Buds that cannot meet expectations may not produce flowers, impacting fruits’ potential development and the feeding of pollinators. On the other hand, a tree meeting the minimum requirements can lead to more vigorous blooms and a potentially heavy crop season.

Phenology Since ancient agricultural times, cultures observed the environmental changes between biological events. Beyond the science of meteorology, that of phenology also includes research on the climatic conditions of flowers, breeding, and migration. As a result, farmers learned the proverbs which link specific plants to safe planting conditions of crops. You may already know a few, such as • Plant peas and carrots in spring when the daffodil blooms. • Plant beans and beets when apple trees bloom. • Plant squash at first sight of lilacs. • Look at the birds to start saving seeds. While North Carolina can swing from one temperature extreme to another in early spring, the appearance of foliage can reveal the time to plant specific crops.

The Peony Beloved for its easy maintenance and long-lived, reliable performance, most growers choose to grow at least one of the 33 peony varieties in their garden. In North Carolina’s zone 7B, look at the blooms of your tulips and daffodils. As they start to expire, the peony bloom arrives in coral, pinks, deep purples, reds, or white.

Pollinator Flowers By May, our trees no longer retain their color from flowers; instead, they display a green tinge. From downy wood mint to Southern snowdrop flowers, wild columbine to wild indigo, herbs, and medicinal plants—the season reveals its essential and telling foliage. Caterpillars emerge to feed hatching baby birds, and the honeybees’ flight patterns chart their search for water sources, nectar, and pollen.

The arrival of spring foliage is an awakening of the earth. Take time to jot down specific biological events, such as the last frost date and trees budding, the first sight of a Robin, when lilacs, poppies, irises, and delphiniums reach full bloom, and the first ripe tomato. Through phenology, the findings can help you understand how timing works to your advantage!

* Lisa is an N.C. State Cooperative Extension Master

Gardener Volunteer since August 2019 and a statecertified beekeeper.

The 20s – 50s:

lessons learned through the decades

BY KAREN COOPER

Ijust turned 51. It didn’t quite live up to the hype of turning 50, but still…every year is a celebration and in recent years, each one gives me a reason to reflect on the one before it and make plans for the one ahead. I feel good at 51, except for a few aches and pains and moving just a little more slowly than I did in years past. I’m rolling with the changes. What will my 50s teach me? I know there are hard lessons and wonderful ones ahead. Looking back on what I learned in my 40s, 30s and 20s, each decade of life has been a milestone to be proud of and to reflect on in the hopes of gaining wisdom to bring forward into the next decade. Here are some valuable gifts each of these decades gave me….20s 30s

40s

50s

the years of trial and error, enjoying life and the hard slap of reality

My 20s taught me that although I had been led to believe otherwise, life would not always be perfect. Mistakes were made during this decade that would take many years to recover from. I learned to trust my gut and to not follow my every whim. I learned that moving around from job to job, home to home, partner to partner is not exhilarating…it’s exhausting and unfulfilling. And I ultimately learned that sometimes hard work does not pay off and it’s better to cut your losses early rather than waste a lot of time in a bad situation. Another valuable lesson from my 20s was to step outside my comfort zone, move to a distant city, travel to another country, set up challenges for myself…because all these things will bring a fresh perspective.

the years of unparalleled joy, the deepest, darkest pain and everything in-between

My 30s taught me what it’s like for the world not to revolve around me. I learned to put other, more important tiny humans before myself and I learned the terror of fierce love. At the same time, I learned how to own up to big mistakes that have the power to ruin your life, and how to ask for help. I learned that giving up a fast-paced, but ultimately very stressful career and taking a job to work from home to raise the kids was far more rewarding than living a glamorous, expensive life. Along the way, I learned that I would move mountains to keep my children safe and comfortable, and who in my life I could really count on. At the end of my 30s I learned that I was braver than I thought and had the ability to shake up my life to get to a better place. Even though this decade had many struggles, it had made me stronger and tougher, a better mother, daughter, friend; and it had prepared me to be a better version of myself.

years of change, finding a new path, benefitting from the lessons

My 40s taught me that the truest lessons come with a significant measure of pain. From these lessons I learned patience, resilience, and forgiveness. I discovered a strength inside that I never knew was there and a reserve I could draw from to give my children what they needed. I learned that being alone was okay and taking time to heal was a gift you give yourself and not a punishment. I also learned that I had a new-found compassion and empathy for everyone around me…that hard times had made me better and not bitter. I discovered that kindness goes a long way and that from then on, I would live with no regrets. After a period of what can only be called hibernation, it became obvious to me that you have to open yourself up to life to start living the life you want, and that’s what I did. A little while later, my wonderful 40s taught me some beautiful, amazing lessons about the perfectly imperfect reality of what real love and commitment feels like. Stepping out in faith allowed me to learn the lesson that I was worthy of love and that I deserved the best of everything…something I hadn’t believed in earlier decades. I also learned that I could become whoever I chose to be. Embark on a new career and completely overhaul my life…all while raising my amazing children, who were thriving, too. My 40s taught me it was okay to let go of the past, because this was my time to shine.

what will this decade teach?

So far in my 50s I’ve learned that humility is everything, empathy and gratitude are life-changing, every day is a precious gift and the people you love are what matter the most. I look forward to more great lessons as this decade rolls along.

THE

FancyFork

BY @BRIGHTMOMENTCO / LAUREN SEPHTON

Welcome, spring season! And what better way to kick off the warmer weather and spring florals than with this quick and tasty ceviche recipe and guide?

What is ceviche? Ceviche is fresh fish that has been marinated (aka “cooked”) in citrus juices, fresh herbs, and produce, for a very common lunch found in the coastal regions of South and Central America.

How long should the ceviche be marinated to be safe to eat? The marination time can vary anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of pieces you’ve cut your fish into. That’s why it’s best to opt for smaller bite-sized pieces to ensure it’s “cooked” through. A good rule of thumb from chefs is 45 minutes per ¾” of fish piece. How do I know when it’s done “cooking”? There should be a noticeable difference in both the texture and color of the fish. The color should be opaque/white, and the fish should split smoothly with a fork just like normal cooked fish. Also, it should not smell fishy at this point either. But feel free to marinate up to 2 hours, even with smaller pieces, if that makes you feel more comfortable! However, the fish will just tend to be chewier the longer it sits.

(Easy) Citrus Ceviche Recipe & Guide

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 30 MIN | TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ lb. white fish (I used halibut), (sashimi-grade) • ¾ cup lime juice • ¼ cup fresh orange juice • 1 tsp. honey • 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered • ½ small red onion, minced • ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped • ½ small avocado, firm and diced (optional) • 1 garlic clove, minced (optional) • 1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional) • 1 peach or mango, firm and finely diced (optional) • salt & black pepper (to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Slice the fish into small bite-sized pieces, then add into a large bowl. Pour in the lime juice, orange, and honey to stir. Make sure the fish is completely submerged in the citrus juices. If not, add more lime juice. Cover with either a lid or saran wrap. Set in the fridge to “cook” for 20 minutes. 2. Remove the cover, then stir in the remaining chopped ingredients until well-combined. Cover once again to “cook” in the fridge for 10 more minutes, then enjoy! Best served with plantain chips. Now, it’s time to grab our aprons and enjoy the seasonal delights of the blossoming spring!

What If?

Presents Self-Defense & Avoiding Conflict BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“What-If,” the worrisome words, arrive in the consciously spinning topics in our minds, from safety and financial security to loved ones and pet health. Asking, “What can I do?” leads to a proactive decision to invest time in the ultimate insurance policy: valuable life skills comprising security, shelter, food, water, and medical care! In any emergency, from extreme weather to a personal disaster, you have the power to take charge of your fate by making plans and taking action!

“Self-defense” feels like a term implying an action using the skill of martial arts or gear, from pepper spray to a knife or handgun. But without training from a professional, the best action is to practice “situational awareness.” Knowing how to avoid trouble is the best defense!

What is Situational Awareness?

Most attackers search for easy prey, an individual distracted by scrolling or talking while on their cell phone, lacking eye contact, holding a great weight, or showing their valuables. The first words of safety are “act smart and be careful”! Police officers and military members receive training in situational awareness. Walking in public places requires looking around, taking notice of faces and clothing. Do you wonder, “Is anything out of place?” There may be that one person wearing a long coat on a hot day who is scanning the area. Perhaps you continue to see the same person; are they buying anything or just watching you? Are there people standing around in a parking lot, close to your vehicle? Rather than tempt your inner rising alarm, your action plan should begin with avoiding risk. Exit the premises immediately and either join a large group of people or ask a store owner, security or police officer, if nearby, for assistance.

The 21-Foot Rule

A police officer in Utah once sought to know the proximity of an attacking knife wielder. The results were that the average person, from a standstill, could move 21 feet in 1.5 seconds and 32 feet in two seconds. However, it takes up to three seconds to realize you are being attacked.

Real-Life Scenarios

Thinking a situation has never happened before does not imply it isn’t a possibility. Community violence impacts all of us. Each year, 1.5 million Americans are treated for assault; one in four women experience sexual or physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. Just imagine a person standing six feet away, pulling out a knife, and asking for your wallet. What do you do? The probability of the knife being thrown at you is low. Is there a possibility for you to run? Are there people around? A victim has time, mere seconds, to think. Kevin Michalowski of “U.S. Conceal Carry writes,” “It is not your gear that is most important in the five to ten seconds during a self-defense situation; instead, it is your thoughts and actions leading up to that little window that truly makes the difference between life and death.” Start practicing what-if scenarios to reduce your fear and have a premeditated escape plan.

ALWAYS: • Keep your cell phone ready. • Carry a purse with a body strap to keep your hands free. • Walk to doors and vehicles with the key fob or key in your hand. • Befriend security; small interactions will ensure someone is looking out for you. • Remain close to people who offer protection, such as security guards, police officers, and bouncers. • Keep a pair of comfortable walking shoes at the office and in your car. An attacker will avoid anyone with a confident posture, a calm demeanor, and a direct stare! Always remember that logic and emotion cannot mix.

What Gear is Helpful?

Women often carry self-defense tools, such as pepper spray, a personal alarm, an emergency whistle, or a lipstick taser, to feel well-protected; however, simply having it isn’t enough. Every tool requires practice. Pepper spray, for instance, should not be at the bottom of a purse or glove compartment. Choose a location to carry it daily, such a belt holster or coat pocket. Avoid putting it on a key chain. Take the time to check the expiration date. When using, stand at a distance from three to ten feet with knees bent, and cover your face. Without practice, the attempt to hold down the trigger is futile!

NEXT MONTH: Understanding Conceal Carry Certification

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