Author: pat frederick

Happy National Oregon Day!

Trip Advisor recommends these sites to visit if you’re planning on going to Oregon.

Full-Day Guided Oregon Coast Tour from Portland

Less than a 2-hour drive from Portland, the Oregon Coast is celebrated for its natural beauty. This tour gives you the chance to experience some of the best of what the coast has to offer, without having to do any driving. You’ll visit the coastal town of Cannon Beach, spend time among the trees of Ecola State Park, and learn about local wildlife from your naturalist guide.

Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Hiking Tour

Head out to the Columbia River Gorge for half a day of visiting cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks with this tour from Portland. You’ll visit Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in the state, as well as lesser-known falls throughout the region. You’ll also have the chance to take mini-hikes in the area to get better views of waterfalls and the surrounding scenery.

Hopscotch Portland Immersive Art Experience

According to PBS, Hopscotch is a “must-do bucket list item in Portland.” Admission to this award-winning art gallery provides you with a unique experience to connect with local, national, and international artists and their work. Hopscotch allows artists to showcase their works in sustainable and creative ways, encourages them to be inspired by new mediums, and empowers them to reach new audiences. A delicious food and bar program and curated artist-driven gift shop round out your visit for an experience you don’t want to miss!

Portland Japanese Garden

Considered the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty in all four seasons. In Spring of 2017, the Garden opened its new Cultural Village, complete with new garden spaces, classrooms, exhibition and gallery space, and the Umami Cafe.

Pittock Mansion

Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion was a modern home with unique architecture and the latest technology. Experience the story of Portland through the lives of one of its most influential families and get to know the pioneer spirit behind its transformation from “stumptown” to modern, industrial city.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

Spring Cleaning Tips: Part 1

Polish Stainless Steel Appliances with Olive Oil

Make your stainless steel appliances sparkle this spring by polishing them with a surprising kitchen staple—olive oil! Simply apply a small amount of olive oil to a soft cloth, buff the surfaces, and you’ll be rewarded with a streak-free, gleaming finish.

Clean Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Effortlessly refresh your oven racks by placing them in the bathtub for a deep-cleaning session. Let them soak in warm, soapy water to loosen grime, and then use dryer sheets to easily wipe away grease and residue.

Wash Bed Pillows in the Washer

Want a more refreshing sleep experience? It all starts with tossing your pillows into the washer this spring. A quick spin removes dust, allergens, and the winter blues, leaving you with fresh, fluffy pillows for a rejuvenating night’s sleep.

Scrub Grout with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Scrub any tiled spaces with a simple yet effective DIY cleaning solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Watch as this powerful combination lifts away stains and brightens grout lines, leaving your floors and walls looking good as new.


Use a Lint Roller to Clean Lampshades and Fabric Surfaces

Simplify your cleaning routine by grabbing a lint roller to remove dust and debris from lampshades and other fabric surfaces. This quick and efficient method ensures a polished, lint-free look with minimal effort.


Clean Tall Windows with a Swiffer Mop

Tall windows don’t have to be a tall order! Cheryl Sousan, the self-proclaimed “neat freak” behind the blog Tidy Mom, recommends using a Swiffer mop to clean high or hard-to-reach windowpanes. Simply wrap some paper towels around your Swiffer, spray some glass cleaner, and wipe your way to sparkling clean windows.


Steam Clean Your Microwave


Look no further than your microwave itself for a quick and easy cleaning tip! You’ll need to mix two cups of water and two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in a bowl and heat it on high in your microwave until it comes to a boil. Let it stand inside for about three minutes and then use a sponge or cloth to wipe your microwave clean.


Clean Your Bath Mats


If your bath mats are machine washable, this will be an easy one. Simply shake out any debris and then run your rug through a regular wash cycle on the cold setting. Most rugs can also be put in the dryer on low, but be sure to hang dry memory foam mats or ones with rubber backing.


Shake Out Your Doormats
Your doormats, whether indoor or outdoor, get a lot of foot traffic. Give them a good spring cleaning by shaking out debris outside, vacuuming them, and then rinsing them off with a garden hose to remove any lingering dirt.


Polish Your Silverware with a Toothbrush

Is your silverware looking a little less than guest-ready? Remove residue and tarnish easily using a toothbrush and Hagerty Silver Foam.

Wash Your Brooms

Dust bunnies, be gone! To clean your broom, simply take it outside and smack it against a tree to loosen up all the dust and dirt. Then place your broom in a bucket filled with warm, soapy water and let it soak for 30 minutes for rinsing it off with warm water.

Deep Clean Your Washing Machine with Vinegar

Disinfect your washing machine to help it reach its maximum cleaning potential. First run the machine with hot water, then add white vinegar and baking soda, and let them sit for about an hour. Finally, restart the cycle, let the water drain, and wipe it clean.

Wash Your Shower Curtain Liners

Did you know you can wash shower curtain liners in the washing machine? Instead of replacing yours, take a few extra minutes to toss it into your washing machine along with a bath towel or two. After washing, simply hang your curtain back up to dry in your shower.

Give Your Toilet Bowl a White Vinegar Bath

To eliminate hard water stains inside your toilet, soak toilet paper in white vinegar and let it sit on top of the stain overnight. Then simply flush to rinse away the stains!

Freshen Up Your Trash Cans

Make your trash smell a little better by placing dryer sheets on the bottom of the can to help absorb spills and mask odors.


Throw Away Expired Makeup

Using old makeup and tools can lead to skin irritation or infection. Look through your medicine cabinet and toss concealer, eye shadow, foundation, lip gloss, and nail polish that you’ve had for more than one year. Lipstick and blush last a little longer so you can keep them around for up to two years.


Care for Your Garbage Disposal with Lemons


“For spring cleaning, I like to do the little extras that don’t get done on a daily, weekly or even a monthly basis (unfortunately!),” says Warren Weiss of Scrub!, a cleaning service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To make the garbage disposal smell nice and to keep the blades sharp, Warren suggests cutting a lemon in quarters and run it through. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!


Use a Pillowcase to Dust Ceiling Fans

Use an old pillowcase to dust all of your ceiling fans, says Cheryl. Simply slide the pillowcase over each blade and then pull the fabric back, keeping all the dust and dirt contained.

Add Essential Oils to Your Cleaning Solutions

While you’re up there wiping down the blades of your ceiling fans, Warren suggests adding an essential oil to your cleaning solution.

“That way, when I turn on the fan, it makes the room smell great,” he shares.

Unclog Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

“Did you know that some Feng Shui masters say that clogged drains deplete finances, health, aspirations, travel, clog sinuses, and simply, wreak havoc in general?” asks Cheryl.

SOURCE: THE PIONEER WOMAN

Red-Bearded Bee Eater

The red-bearded bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus) is a large species of bee-eater found in southern Myanmar, the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra and nearby smaller islands. This species is found in openings in patches of dense forest.

Description

Like other bee-eaters, they are colorful birds with long tails, long decurved beaks and pointed wings. They are large bee-eaters, predominantly green, with a red coloration to face that extends on to the slightly hanging throat feathers to form the “beard”. Their eyes are orange.

Diet

Like other bee-eaters, they predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in flight from perches concealed in foliage. They hunt alone or in pairs, rather than in flocks, and sit motionless for long periods before pursuing their prey.

Behavior

Like other bee-eaters, they nest in burrows tunneled into the side of sandy banks, but do not form colonies.

DIY: Easy Leprechaun Hats

Supplies Needed for Clay Pot Leprechaun Hats:

      Small or Medium Clay Pots

Green Multi-Purpose Acrylic Paint (you can also use spray paint!)

Paint brush

Black Ribbon (I used 3/8” and 1/2”)

Gold scrapbooking paper or Gold Vinyl

Hot Glue Gun/Hot glue Sticks

scissors

Xacto knife

Step 1: Spray or paint the pots

Step 2: Make the hat band

I wrapped with black ribbon towards the bottom of the clay pot.  Since the pot is not a true cylinder, you will have to adjust in the back to get the ribbon to sit properly in the front.  Use hot glue to secure in place.

Step 3: Add the Buckle

Next I used my Xacto Knife to cut out the buckles.  I had some gold cardstock left over from this Santa Bin.   I just used that.  I hot glued them in place as well.

Voila! You’re done!

SOURCE: https://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/clay-pot-leprechaun-hats/

California State Motto

The State Motto that appears on the State Seal is the Greek word Eureka – which means “I have found it!” These famous words were supposed to have been uttered by the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes (c. 287-212 B.C.E.) when conducting an experiment to measure the specific gravity of gold.

During the 1849 California State Constitutional Convention at Monterey, the delegates had to agree upon a design for the Great Seal of California, which included a representative motto. They were following in the tradition adopted by other states. Since the seal’s design included a gold miner, it seemed most fitting to the delegates to adopt this phrase as the State Motto. It became the official State Motto in 1963. Seventeen California locations bear the name Eureka.

What Shall We Make Today?

I thought this month, we’d start out with a pretty, green dessert for St. Patty’s Day this month…Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Pie!

Ingredients

3 pints mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened

1 store-bought chocolate cookie pie crust

1 1/2 cups crushed mint chocolate sandwich cookies

Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Scoop 1 1⁄2 pints of the mint chocolate chip ice cream into the chocolate cookie pie crust and spread until smooth. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the crushed cookies and press so they stick to the ice cream. Freeze until solid, about 1 hour.

Top with another 1 1⁄2 pints ice cream. Top the pie with whipped cream and the remaining 1⁄2 cup crushed cookies and freeze until solid, at least 2 hours.

Enjoy!

Happy National Minnesota Day

If you’re planning a trip to Minnesota, Land of a Thousand Lakes, Trip Advisor says these places are among the MUST SEE places in Minnesota!

Mall of America

Don’t miss out on the Mall of America, which welcomes more than 40 million travelers annually from around the world. Shop at over 500 stores before refueling at any of the 50 restaurants. That’s not all; the kids will love the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park and SEA LIFE Aquarium. Wear good shoes as the mall is massive, with plenty of digital maps for ease of navigation.

North Shore Scenic Drive

Driving through Haleʻiwa, Waimea, and Sunset Beach on the North Shore is one of the most scenic and enjoyable experiences on Oʻahu. The contrast between the relaxed surf towns, massive winter waves, and stunning coastlines creates an unforgettable day. Perfect for photos, beach walks, and soaking in authentic island energy.

Minnehaha State Park

One of the city’s oldest and most popular parks.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

This North Shore park is home to a spectacular four-level waterfall, scenic overlooks and is ideal for trout fishing.

Minneapolis Sculpture Park

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is closed for renovation, and will reopen in June 2017. One of the crown jewels of the city’s park system, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources—its greenspace and its cultural life. A partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the Garden is a top destination for tourists to enjoy art like the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry in an outdoor park setting.

Ariel Lift Bridge

Originally constructed in 1905 as an aerial lift, this unusual elevator bridge is 386 feet long and spans the canal entrance to Duluth Harbor.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR

Arkansas State Tree: Loblolly Pine

How to Identify the Loblolly Pine

The loblolly pine has several distinctive features that make it easy to recognize once you know what to look for.

Needles in bundles of three, typically 6 to 9 inches long.

Cones usually 3 to 6 inches long with a slightly rounded shape, often with small prickles on the scales.

Bark on mature trees is thick and deeply furrowed, with reddish-brown plates; younger trees have smoother, flaky bark.

A straight trunk with a conical crown in young trees; older specimens develop a broader crown and can become irregular.

Height at maturity typically 60 to 100 feet in natural stands; plantation-grown trees may exceed 100 feet under ideal conditions.

Ecological and Economic Importance

Loblolly pine plays major roles both ecologically and economically.

Wildlife habitat: Provides cover and nesting sites for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife; seeds are food for small mammals and birds.

Erosion control: Fast early growth and extensive root systems help stabilize soil on disturbed and sloping sites.

Timber and pulp: Loblolly is the backbone of the southern timber industry–used for lumber, plywood, pulp, and biomass.

Carbon sequestration: Its rapid growth makes loblolly valuable for carbon capture in reforestation and timber production.

Understanding these roles helps prioritize care actions that preserve both tree health and their broader benefits.

National Anosmia Day

A partial or total loss of smell—called anosmia—can happen for many reasons—including having COVID-19. Loss of smell can also affect your sense of taste. In fact, the two senses are so closely connected that people who are losing their sense of smell often mistakenly believe they are losing their sense of taste.

A loss of smell is most often temporary, depending on the cause.

Anosmia Causes

Many conditions can temporarily or permanently cause anosmia. More rarely, a decreased sense of smell can signal the start of a serious condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. Some people are born with a diminished or heightened ability to smell as compared to others.  In general, our ability to smell may wax and wane over our lifetime, and most of us begin to lose our sense of smell after the age of 60. Studies also show that women tend to have a more accurate sense of smell than men.

In addition to a diminished sense of smell and taste, people who suffer from anosmia may also have other symptoms, depending on the cause of their anosmia. These symptoms vary widely. You should report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think they’re relevant, since they may indicate an underlying condition.

COVID-19 and Loss of Smell

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says loss of smell—or anosmia—may be a sign of COVID-19 infection. If you suspect you or a loved one may be sick, contact your healthcare provider. Learn more about COVID-19, including how it’s diagnosed and answers to common questions you may have.

If you’re concerned that you may be losing your sense of smell, it’s likely you have a common and temporary condition. Keep in mind that each individual and case is different, so whether or not your diminished sense of smell persists will depend on your individual circumstances.

The following conditions can cause anosmia that is often temporary or reversible:

Allergies

Congestion from colds or upper respiratory infections

Dental problems or oral surgery

Deviated septum

Nasal polyps (often must be treated surgically)

Sinusitis

Temporary fluctuations in hormone levels

Vitamin deficiencies or malnutrition (rare)

The loss of smell due to some conditions or risk factors may be reversible, partially reversible, or permanent. For example, once a person quits smoking, their sense of smell usually improves—but how much the ability to smell returns is variable.

Medication side effects that cause loss of smell may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medication.

Nasal Sprays and Loss of Smell

Zinc nasal sprays are known to cause permanent anosmia. Breathing in chemicals or environmental pollutants has been known to cause permanent anosmia as well.

The use of cocaine or other drugs that are snorted up the nose can also cause anosmia. Like smoking, a person’s ability to smell may or may not return when the drug is stopped or may only partially return.

The list of medications that may alter a person’s ability to smell or taste is very long, but it includes many:

Antibiotics

Antidepressants

Blood pressure medications

Heart medications

Associated Conditions

Many conditions often cause a permanent loss of a person’s sense of smell. Again, keep in mind that each case is different, and some people may regain their sense of smell even with these conditions, though many do not. Brain injuries (head trauma) may cause anosmia, as can disorders that affect the nervous system, including:

Parkinson’s disease

Multiple sclerosis

Alzheimer’s disease

Radiation treatment to the head and neck may also cause anosmia.

Some other conditions that may cause anosmia include:

Adrenocortical insufficiency syndrome

Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

Cushing’s syndrome

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Kallmann’s syndrome

Hypothyroidism

Psychiatric conditions

Sjögren’s disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Tumors of the brain, sinus cavities, or nose

Turner syndrome

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history as well as any current symptoms you might be having. Your practitioner will probably also perform a physical exam.  If warranted, a healthcare provider will order blood tests to rule out risk factors, such as infections or hormonal disturbances, or a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose nasal polyps or tumors.

The Scratch-and-Sniff Test

A healthcare provider may administer a scratch-and-sniff test where you will be asked to identify certain smells.

Treatment

As mentioned above, many conditions that can diminish your sense of smell are reversible, but it depends on the root cause of your condition. Nasal polyps or deviated septums can be treated surgically, sinusitis can sometimes be treated with antibiotics, and allergies can be treated with medications.  If the anosmia is a side effect of a medication you are taking, the medication should be stopped. There is no medication or treatment specifically designed to improve or bring back your sense of smell, but finding the cause of the anosmia and resolving the underlying issue is successful in many cases. In some cases, the sense of smell may return gradually.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Any unexplained loss of smell that lasts longer than a cold virus probably should be checked out by a healthcare provider. Call your practitioner immediately if your inability to smell comes on suddenly and is accompanied by other worrisome or strange symptoms. Go to the emergency room if you lose your sense of smell and experience neurological symptoms such as dizziness, slurred speech, or muscle weakness.

SOURCE: VERYWELLHEALTH.COM