Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

If the right of secession be denied...

and the denial enforced by the sword of coercion;

the nature of the polity is changed, and freedom is at its end.

It is no longer a government by consent, but a government of force.

Conquest is substituted compact, and the dream of liberty is over."

-- Albert Taylor Bledsoe

Florida Factoid Friday

In 1994, the State Legislature officially recognized Key lime pie as an important symbol of Florida. Since the 1980s, North Florida lawmakers have debated that a pie made of pecans, grown in Florida, would better reflect the state’s history. House Bill 453 and Senate Bill 676 of the Florida Legislature's Regular 2006 Session made the Key Lime Pie the official Florida state pie as of July 1, 2006.

In 1965, Florida State Representative Bernie Papy, Jr. introduced legislation calling for a $100 fine to be levied against anyone advertising key lime pie that is not made with key limes. The bill did not pass.

source: What's Cooking America

Mystery solved

Brenda was first to guess dandelion.

Dandelions can be beneficial to a garden ecosystem as well as to human health. Dandelions attract beneficial ladybugs and provide early spring pollen for their food. In a study done at the University of Wisconsin, experimental plots with dandelions had more ladybugs than dandelion free plots, and fewer pest aphids, a favorite food of the ladybugs. Dandelions long roots aerate the soil and enable the plant to accumulate minerals, which are added to the soil when the plant dies.

Not only are dandelions good for your soil, they are good for your health. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a serving of uncooked dandelion leaves contains 280 percent of an adult's daily requirement of beta carotene as well as more than half the requirement of vitamin C. Dandelions are also rich in vitamin A. *

Monday Morning Mystery

Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

That either revenue from duties must be collected in the ports of the rebel states, or the ports must be closed to importations from abroad....If neither of these things be done, our revenue laws are substantially repealed; the sources which supply our treasury will be dried up; we shall have no money to carry on the government; the nation will become bankrupt before the next crop of corn is ripe.....Allow rail road iron to be entered at Savannah with the low duty of ten per cent, which is all that the Southern Confederacy think of laying on imported goods, and not an ounce more would be imported at New York; the railroads would be supplied from the southern ports.
- - - New York Evening Post, 12 March 1861

Florida Factoid Friday

Merrit Island Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, along Florida's 'Space Coast', is the number 11 Ecotour Destination of the world. It borders the Indian River Lagoon Estuary, with the most diverse number of plants and animals in North America. There are (were) several indigenous species found only here, including the (now extinct) Dusky Seaside Sparrow.

The Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens) was non-migratory and lived only in the marshes of the St. John’s River and Merritt Island on Florida’s mid-Atlantic coast. A 70 percent decline in population was recorded following the use from 1942 to 1953 of DDT to control mosquitos on Merritt Island. In further efforts to eliminate mosquitos in 1956 in the Kennedy Space Centre region, Merritt Island nesting grounds were flooded to make mosquito control impoundments, causing another drop in numbers. Then marshes along the St. John’s River were drained to aid highway construction, putting yet more pressure on the population.

By 1980, six remaining individuals, all males, had been captured to establish a captive breeding program that was eventually unsuccessful because no females were ever found. They lived out their lives in a Walt Disney World nature reserve called Discovery Island. The last male died in June 1987.

In memoriam - 64 years later

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In MEMORIAM - 64 YEARS LATER

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War ended in Europe. This (e-mail was sent) as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian Peoples looking the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iraq , Iran , and others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

Ever surprise yourself?

I was just weeding out an old email account I seldom use and found this from about 10 years ago. When a friend asked for a poem for (as I now recall) a new mother-to-be, I hurriedly dashed this off late one night, apparently in a sleepy daze. When I read this just now, I thought someone was pretty clever... then I got to the end and realized it was I! Huh! My creativity must be hibernating. Anyhow, here it is, just as pecked out 24 September 1999:


You're having a baby!
I don't mean maybe!
Girl or boy,
It's a bundle of joy.
Diapers and wipers,
Bottles and bibs,
3 o'clock feedings,
Fighting with sibs,
Stepping on toys,
These are the joys
That motherhood brings.
Forget all the things
That used to enthrall you
'Cause it'll be all you
Can do just to stay
Awake through the day.
Resign yourself to it,
There's just one way through it.
The love that fills you,
When that tiny smile thrills you.
God's precious gift
Will be such a lift.

yada yada yada, I ran out of steam
Someone else will have to finish, it seems.

(Well, I did have another verse, if you know this gal real well and she can
take a joke.)

Rest now, while you may,
For soon you will pay
For that small indiscretion,
That one late-night session
Of passion that made you
Lose the sense that God gave you.

-PunchyMae
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Mystery solved

FC got it again. I was so tickled to find in our yard not only this lovely little female Eastern Amberwing, but her handsome consort, as well.

Monday Morning Mystery

Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

'I am with the South in life or in death, in victory or defeat. I never owned a negro and care nothing for them, but these people have been my friends and have stood up to me on all occasions. In addition to this, I believe the North is about to wage a brutal and unholy war on a people who have done them no wrong, in violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of the government...We propose no invasion of the North, no attack on them, and only ask to be let alone.'

--Patrick R. Cleburne

May 1861

Florida Factoid Friday

There are 16 active greyhound race tracks in Florida

and more than 1/3 of all racing greyhounds are found in Florida.

Great Culinary Throwdown Challenge

I was all ready to cook up a storm this week and and become known as the dark horse that swept the SCA off its collective feets. I made a list and grocery shopped and laid all nonperishables out on the counter... and crashed. Idano, I've just been peekid of late. So much so that my camera sat untouched for a full week!

It's all sitting there, just as I left it 3 days ago. But I'm not completely conceding the challenge, though I've been humbled by some mighty fine entries.

Anyhow, my plan was to experiment with black-eyed peas till Duller deemed something Troll-worthy. I would've started with 2 pots of peas, one embellished with a couple ham hocks, onion, hot peppers, a bay leaf and a few sprigs of thyme. The other peas were to become bollito-batter.

First experiment was to be Black-eyed Pea Salad. I'd blister, peel and core a red and a yellow pepper, then slice into strips. Separate the cooked peas from the other potbound ingredients, toss them in a little EVOO and S&P and plate them prettily. Chop up ham hock bits and sprinkle on the peas. Then top with pepper slices, mozzarella wedges (or feta crumbles) and garnish with boiled egg slices and baby spinach, then splish a splash of lime juice over.

The second test was to be Black-eyed Pea Rangoon. Got me some wonton wrappers to package up the bollito batter. I thought I'd try some with cream cheese, some with Greek yogurt and some with pepper-crusted goat cheese. I'm sure I'd have snipped up some green onions in there, as well.

Wash it all down with sparkling punch... pineapple juice, frozen pink lemonade concentrate, frozen strawberry daiquiri mix concentrate, ginger ale... garnished with lemon slices.

If you're wondering what on earth bollitos are, I finally found a recipe here. I ate them all the time when I lived in Tampa, but they're nigh impossible to find nowadays.

So, there you have it. I'm sure the salad, when I get around to fixin' it, will be delightful. Not quite so certain about the rangoons, but Duller has complete faith. If you thunk of something that might improve the outcome, please chime in. Duller's always up for a new creation from the kitchen-lab.

Mystery solved

Rich got this one at first glance. It's a Rosy Maple Moth, the smallest Saturniidae (Wild Silk Moths) with a wingspread of 1½-2 inches.

One female will lay about 150 eggs, which hatch in about 8-10 days. In about a month, after molting 4 times, the caterpillars are full grown. They then move to the ground and work their way into the leaf litter where they pupate and overwinter in shallow underground chambers.

The caterpillars do feed on a variety of maples. Adults do not feed.

Monday Morning Mystery

Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

'Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed

to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender

at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen

these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die

at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand.'

-- General Robert E. Lee, August 1870, to Governor Stockdale of Texas

Florida Factoid Friday

Stetson University hosts the nation's first and oldest

college-level Model United States Senate program

(established in 1970) every year in March

Sorry I was so late today... this is the first chance I've had to sit down at the puter. 8-}

Mystery solved

Jena got it, I suspect, with a little help from Suze's feathery hint. ϋ

It was about 4.30PM... I had finished walking (part of) the dike at Alligator Lake in Lake City and was waiting in the car for DS, who obviously has more stamina. Suddenly, this bird appeared, doing the turkey trot across the mini-glade in front of me. I only got one shot, so I'm mighty tickled it came out as good as it did.

Monday Morning Mystery

Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

The Southern Confederacy will not employ our ships or buy our goods.

What is our shipping without it? Literally nothing....

It is very clear that the South gains by this process, and we lose.

No---we MUST NOT 'let the South go.' -

--- Union Democrat , Manchester, NH, February 19, 1861

Florida Factoid Friday

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The first graded road built in Florida was Old Kings Road in 1763.
It was named for King George of England.

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"I leave the pleasure to inform Your Lordship that the part of the road to the Musquito, which Governor Grant had contracted for, and to be completed before Christmas next, is just now finishing, and is done in such a manner that it will not require any additional repairs for many years. The Bridges are firm and substantial; the causeways well made, and the road well opened. A Cart of Waggon, or any number of them, may pass with ease on twenty miles of good road toward the Musquito. But this My Lord is not quite half way to the first water Carriage on that river; it being about twenty-five miles from the road where the new Road now terminates...". - Lt. Governor John Moultrie, September 27, 1771