Should I Pour It Down the Drain?

I haven't yet had time to do the research--but should I pour my old cough medicine down the drain? Since my name is Riverwolf, I do have to think about these things. Well, not "have" to, but I simply do. I've read or heard cautions against tossing old medications down the drain or toilet, where they end up in our water supply as well as in fish, turtles, bird and other aquatic life. These critters are much smaller than we so some of this medicine can pack a whallop!

What do you think? Anyone know the answer? It's "only" a prescription cough suppressant, but I have no idea how toxic something like this is to the water supply. I didn't finish all the medicine because I my cough went away. Yes, some medicines you're supposed to take all the doc gives you, but not in this case. And if I keep it until my next cough comes around, well, that could be a while, and the effectiveness could wear off.

Anyone else had concerns with this?

Should I Pour It Down the Drain?

I haven't yet had time to do the research--but should I pour my old cough medicine down the drain? Since my name is Riverwolf, I do have to think about these things. Well, not "have" to, but I simply do. I've read or heard cautions against tossing old medications down the drain or toilet, where they end up in our water supply as well as in fish, turtles, bird and other aquatic life. These critters are much smaller than we so some of this medicine can pack a whallop!

What do you think? Anyone know the answer? It's "only" a prescription cough suppressant, but I have no idea how toxic something like this is to the water supply. I didn't finish all the medicine because I my cough went away. Yes, some medicines you're supposed to take all the doc gives you, but not in this case. And if I keep it until my next cough comes around, well, that could be a while, and the effectiveness could wear off.

Anyone else had concerns with this?

Critters Living in Icy, Dark Antarctic Challenge Our Concept of "Life"

Scientists pulling ice cores in the Antarctic just discovered a jellyfish and a shrimp in one of their samples, showing that life can thrive in very hostile conditions (meaning, bone-ass cold and black as pitch). Reminds me of other recent news about microbes living next to sizzlin' volcanic vents. And so the scientists wonder, as scientists do, whether we might one day find life on a frozen, icy moon like Europa.

That got me to thinking more about this. Sure, some icy-cold moon shrimp isn't exactly Little Green Men, but it is life. And that's amazing, don't you think? Who knows, there could be some form of life right now on humid ol' Venus. There's still so much we don't know about our own solar system. Just because we haven't had a response yet from all our attempts at conversation, doesn't mean something isn't out there somewhere. And frankly, I'll take moon shrimp over Aliens any day!

Critters Living in Icy, Dark Antarctic Challenge Our Concept of "Life"

Scientists pulling ice cores in the Antarctic just discovered a jellyfish and a shrimp in one of their samples, showing that life can thrive in very hostile conditions (meaning, bone-ass cold and black as pitch). Reminds me of other recent news about microbes living next to sizzlin' volcanic vents. And so the scientists wonder, as scientists do, whether we might one day find life on a frozen, icy moon like Europa.

That got me to thinking more about this. Sure, some icy-cold moon shrimp isn't exactly Little Green Men, but it is life. And that's amazing, don't you think? Who knows, there could be some form of life right now on humid ol' Venus. There's still so much we don't know about our own solar system. Just because we haven't had a response yet from all our attempts at conversation, doesn't mean something isn't out there somewhere. And frankly, I'll take moon shrimp over Aliens any day!

Drought in Brandtlund Grove?

I don't know what the "official" word is, but if we're not in a drought, we soon will be! Last week on my walk by the lake, I noticed the water level was down slightly. Well, today it was extreme, twice as bad as last week and shocking to see the water level drop so quickly in such a short time. A few of the small streams that feed the lake have completely dried out. We need some rain!

But nature was still out and about in full force. Saw 2 beautiful white water birds (egrets? cranes?) and a few herons. The rose of sharon is also in bloom.

Didn't have my camera with my this trip, unfortunately!

Drought in Brandtlund Grove?

I don't know what the "official" word is, but if we're not in a drought, we soon will be! Last week on my walk by the lake, I noticed the water level was down slightly. Well, today it was extreme, twice as bad as last week and shocking to see the water level drop so quickly in such a short time. A few of the small streams that feed the lake have completely dried out. We need some rain!

But nature was still out and about in full force. Saw 2 beautiful white water birds (egrets? cranes?) and a few herons. The rose of sharon is also in bloom.

Didn't have my camera with my this trip, unfortunately!

Why Did the Raccoon and the Turtle Cross the Road?

The world isn't all doom and gloom--thank the goddess! Over the weekend, I was headed to my workshop when I saw 2 cars pulled over to opposite sides of the street, their flashers blinking. At first I thought the drivers were talking and I began to bitch. But as I got closer, I could see why they had stopped. There were 2 baby raccoons right in the middle of the road, huddled together! These drivers had stopped to warn others to slow down. I didn't see a mother raccoon but I'm assuming the babies were trying to cross the road and may have been spooked by the cars. I couldn't stay and watch, but thanks to those 2 drivers, the babies may have made their way to safety.

And then this morning on the way to work, I saw a man holding something and standing on the sidewalk. He was watching traffic on a busy road and trying to find a way to cross with whatever he was carrying. As I drove past, I could see it was a large turtle! I'm assuming he was trying to cross and release it where it would be less likely to get smashed.

I can't help but be reminded of Christ's words. In Matthew 25:40, he was talking about prisoners and those in need, but I think it also applies here, to those creatures we often overlook or consider pests: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Why Did the Raccoon and the Turtle Cross the Road?

The world isn't all doom and gloom--thank the goddess! Over the weekend, I was headed to my workshop when I saw 2 cars pulled over to opposite sides of the street, their flashers blinking. At first I thought the drivers were talking and I began to bitch. But as I got closer, I could see why they had stopped. There were 2 baby raccoons right in the middle of the road, huddled together! These drivers had stopped to warn others to slow down. I didn't see a mother raccoon but I'm assuming the babies were trying to cross the road and may have been spooked by the cars. I couldn't stay and watch, but thanks to those 2 drivers, the babies may have made their way to safety.

And then this morning on the way to work, I saw a man holding something and standing on the sidewalk. He was watching traffic on a busy road and trying to find a way to cross with whatever he was carrying. As I drove past, I could see it was a large turtle! I'm assuming he was trying to cross and release it where it would be less likely to get smashed.

I can't help but be reminded of Christ's words. In Matthew 25:40, he was talking about prisoners and those in need, but I think it also applies here, to those creatures we often overlook or consider pests: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

OMG--Groundhog No. 3!

Wow, I'm getting really good at this trappin' thing! We set the trap early yesterday evening, and within an hour or 2, we caught this one. Just couldn't resist that freshly sliced squash and juicy lettuce!

Like the other 2, we released this one a few miles away.

Of course, now that the groundhogs are losing, the deer seem to be moving in...

OMG--Groundhog No. 3!

Wow, I'm getting really good at this trappin' thing! We set the trap early yesterday evening, and within an hour or 2, we caught this one. Just couldn't resist that freshly sliced squash and juicy lettuce!

Like the other 2, we released this one a few miles away.

Of course, now that the groundhogs are losing, the deer seem to be moving in...

Gay Penguins and Laughing Monkeys

Thought these 2 stories were intriguing.

The gay penguins in Berlin have raised a baby penguin on their own (aww!). Apparently there are 3 such same-sex couples there at the Berlin zoo. Wonder how the fundies explain this? Must have been gay penguin teachers in penguin schools or gay programming on penguin television!

And research is showing that some primates laugh, not the same as we do, but they show similar responses and characteristics of laughter. Plus, it's more evidence of how we're linked to primates through evolution. Wonder how the Christians explain this? I mean, seriously, why would "God" give a monkey the ability to laugh?

'Course, considering how some Christians behave, it appears God didn't give them the ability to laugh either!

Gay Penguins and Laughing Monkeys

Thought these 2 stories were intriguing.

The gay penguins in Berlin have raised a baby penguin on their own (aww!). Apparently there are 3 such same-sex couples there at the Berlin zoo. Wonder how the fundies explain this? Must have been gay penguin teachers in penguin schools or gay programming on penguin television!

And research is showing that some primates laugh, not the same as we do, but they show similar responses and characteristics of laughter. Plus, it's more evidence of how we're linked to primates through evolution. Wonder how the Christians explain this? I mean, seriously, why would "God" give a monkey the ability to laugh?

'Course, considering how some Christians behave, it appears God didn't give them the ability to laugh either!

Gotcha, Groundhog #2!

And so the Groundhog Relocation Project continues! Caught this one just a little while ago and will take him to his new home across the lake shortly.

Two down--at least one more critter to go! However, we've already lost our squash plants, dammit! Ah well, we won't starve...

Gotcha, Groundhog #2!

And so the Groundhog Relocation Project continues! Caught this one just a little while ago and will take him to his new home across the lake shortly.

Two down--at least one more critter to go! However, we've already lost our squash plants, dammit! Ah well, we won't starve...

Lightning Bugs Usher in June!

Finally caught my first few moments of watching lightning bugs (or fireflies for non-Southerners) light up the evening. I just learned that they're really a kind of beetle, and they're beneficial to have in the garden.

One thing that isn't beneficial, however, is a groundhog! It appears the one we trapped has sent reinforcements! We spotted one yesterday and ran him off, and then we set the trap again. Looks like the Battle of the Garden is back on!

Lightning Bugs Usher in June!

Finally caught my first few moments of watching lightning bugs (or fireflies for non-Southerners) light up the evening. I just learned that they're really a kind of beetle, and they're beneficial to have in the garden.

One thing that isn't beneficial, however, is a groundhog! It appears the one we trapped has sent reinforcements! We spotted one yesterday and ran him off, and then we set the trap again. Looks like the Battle of the Garden is back on!

And What ISN'T Growing in the Garden

Like I said in my post about trapping the groundhog, Mother Nature has lots more critters.

And they're eating what the groundhog didn't. First pic is of freshly nibbled peppers. We had one plant, which was nibbled a while back. So we bought 2 more, and then all 3 were looking great. Until now.

Second pic is of our evening primrose, nibbled down to the stems. We've grown these before and never had a problem with them being eaten.

Could be hornworms, deer, maybe geese or squirrels. The primrose is out back and fair game for anything, but the peppers are up on the desk railing--so either squirrels or the hookworm.

On the positive, our squash, arugula, parsley and tomatoes seem to be doing fine.

And What ISN'T Growing in the Garden

Like I said in my post about trapping the groundhog, Mother Nature has lots more critters.

And they're eating what the groundhog didn't. First pic is of freshly nibbled peppers. We had one plant, which was nibbled a while back. So we bought 2 more, and then all 3 were looking great. Until now.

Second pic is of our evening primrose, nibbled down to the stems. We've grown these before and never had a problem with them being eaten.

Could be hornworms, deer, maybe geese or squirrels. The primrose is out back and fair game for anything, but the peppers are up on the desk railing--so either squirrels or the hookworm.

On the positive, our squash, arugula, parsley and tomatoes seem to be doing fine.

We Caught Mr. Groundhog!

I awoke this morning and found the little critter in our trap! Guess he couldn't resist that crunchy, juicy lettuce!

So my partner and I put him in the pick-up and drove him way over to the other side of the Grove. We opened the trap and let him out near the lake. So even if he does find his way back to our garden, it'll be a while. Not sure how many miles groundhogs can cover in a day....

So ends the 2009 Battle of the Garden--or does it? There's a whole lot more critters in Mother Nature's world.

We Caught Mr. Groundhog!

I awoke this morning and found the little critter in our trap! Guess he couldn't resist that crunchy, juicy lettuce!

So my partner and I put him in the pick-up and drove him way over to the other side of the Grove. We opened the trap and let him out near the lake. So even if he does find his way back to our garden, it'll be a while. Not sure how many miles groundhogs can cover in a day....

So ends the 2009 Battle of the Garden--or does it? There's a whole lot more critters in Mother Nature's world.