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How your attitude and a bit of gardening rebelliousness might aid your plants

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

In “The 30-Minute Gardener” (Timber Press, 2023), Greg Loades has succeeded in rendering in words the rapturous joy of gardening. At the outset, he makes a comment that passionate gardeners everywhere will heartily endorse: “I still get excited when seeds start to sprout. That moment when the compost bulges and you catch a glimpse of a stem starting to unfurl is both a story with a happy ending and the thrill of a new beginning. You have sown a seed that germinated. New life has begun. … And that’s something to get excited about, whether for the first or the fiftieth time.” He then makes this confession: “I probably check pots of sown seeds at least three times a day, often knowing that it is far too early for anything to happen.” Yes, it is the gardener’s obsession to be a partner in creation and so watching seeds that you planted sprout has no parallel, with the exception of watching your child take shape in its mother’s womb and witnessing it emerge into the light of day. Loades ...

Wish You Were Here: South Dakota heartland adventures

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

The last few months have seen our intrepid readers headed for destinations from Quebec City to Amsterdam and Bruges, sharing their adventures and experiences along the way. You’ll find more than two dozen of their tales at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here.Today, a Cupertino couple shares tips on what to see in South Dakota — Mount Rushmore, certainly, but so much more.Wish You Were HereSOUTH DAKOTA: Cupertino residents Larry and Donene Harrison road tripped from South Dakota to Minnesota in September — great timing, Larry says, because the weather was beautiful and the crowds sparse — on a journey that included a stop at Mount Rushmore and the Borglum Story Museum in nearby Keystone, which chronicles the history of the sculptor.Related ArticlesTravel | Wish You Were Here: Portsmouth’s naval sights delight Travel | Wish You Were Here: Beachy Australia adventures Travel | Wish You Were Here: Easter Isla...

TasteFood: Greening the goddess (chicken, that is)

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

The essence of a green goddess sauce is (surprise!) an abundance of fresh green herbs. It’s a light, bright and refreshing dip, dressing or crema. Precisely which herbs you use in the sauce is dependent upon your taste, garden and refrigerator. Suffice to say that you should use what you like and do not skimp. I make the dressing with herbs I always have on hand, which often include parsley and cilantro. If I have chervil, tarragon, chives or dill, I’ll add them, too. Feel free to tinker and mix and match the herbs to your preference — just be sure to mind the quantity.The sauce in this recipe is used as a marinade for the chicken and an accompaniment for serving. I’ll often make a double batch and use the remainder for dipping crudites or drizzling over roasted potatoes or other vegetables. It’s less creamy and less sweet than many goddesses, which often include mayonnaise. This one does not. If you prefer a runnier sauce, add a little more yogurt.Gree...

3 killed in Highway 101 crash in Sunnyvale

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (KRON) -- Three people were killed in a multi-vehicle collision on northbound Highway 101 in Sunnyvale early Monday morning, according to the San Jose California Highway Patrol office.A call came into the San Jose CHP just before 12:30 a.m. reporting a car hitting the center median between Lawrence Expressway and North Fair Oaks Boulevard. Shortly after, several more cars crashed, officials said.Breaking news Three people killed on 101 between Lawrence expressway and fair oaks Multi vehicle accident with debris scattered in both directions of 101 in Sunnyvale @kron4news pic.twitter.com/UmuPV2V2Jl— Will Tran (@KRON4WTran) May 22, 2023San Jose CHP officials said three people were killed, all of whom were either passengers or drivers of cars. A total of seven cars were involved, CHP officials said.Both northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101 are shut down Monday morning. A detour is set up to divert traffic off at Fair Oaks Avenue, according to the Califo...

Nigeria opens Africa’s biggest oil refinery as it tries to boost struggling sector

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday opened Africa’s biggest oil refinery, with hopes it would help the energy-rich country achieve self-sufficiency and become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.The $19 billion facility built by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, in Nigeria’s economic hub of Lagos is one of the world’s biggest oil refineries and has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.Some analysts have called it a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s oil and natural gas sector, which has been struggling for many years, while others say its capacity could be limited by oil theft. Most of Nigeria’s state-run refineries are poorly maintained and operating far below capacity, making the West African nation import refined petroleum products for its use despite being Africa’s biggest oil producer.The new oil refinery “will enable us to meet not only our country’s demand but also to become a key player in Africa’s and global market,” Dangote said.It...

Hertha Berlin, burned by ambition, must rebuild after relegation from Bundesliga

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Though it had long seemed likely, Hertha Berlin’s relegation from the Bundesliga still felt like a blow out of nowhere when it came.The “Old Lady” was leading against Bochum deep into injury time on Saturday — in a game it had to win — and hopes of another dramatic escape were rising. Hertha’s fans were already celebrating the chance to fight again on the last day of the season.Then Keven Schlotterbeck — a former Union Berlin player — scored Bochum’s equalizer for 1-1. There was no time for a response.Hertha was relegated after a 10-year stint in the top division and all around Olympiastadion, the club’s fans stood in stunned silence with their hands on their heads.But Hertha’s downfall arguably started years earlier, when billionaire Lars Windhorst started backing the team in 2019 and declared it a “big city club” that could challenge the traditional giants.Windhorst invested 374 million euros ($405 million) in Hertha, fueling a spending spree and prompting a manageri...

Sprint specialist Mark Cavendish to retire from cycling at end of season

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

COCCAGLIO, Italy (AP) — Veteran sprint specialist Mark Cavendish announced Monday that he will retire from cycling at the end of this season, which could see him break the long-standing record for most stage wins at the Tour de France.The British rider, who competes for the Astana Qazaqstan team, turned 38 the previous day.“Cycling has been my life for over 25 years. I have lived an absolute dream,” he said.Cavendish made the announcement on the final rest day of this year’s Giro d’Italia, where he is looking to add to his 53 Grand Tour stage victories.“I’ve absolutely loved racing every kilometer of this race so far, so I feel it’s the perfect time to say it’s my final Giro d’Italia and 2023 will be my final season as a professional cyclist,” Cavendish said. “Yesterday I celebrated my 38th birthday. Like many others I’ve been struggling with sickness during the race as well as the effects of some unfortunate crashes. To get me through, I can’t thank this group of friends enough.”Ca...

District Heights church offers community a chance to ‘Walk In My Shoes’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

This is part of WTOP’s continuing coverage of people making a difference from our community authored by Stephanie Gaines-Bryant. Read more of that coverage.The old saying, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes,” will soon come to light in one Prince George’s County, Maryland, community.Two hundred pairs of used shoes will be lining the sidewalk of Victorious Life of Faith Church on 7100 Marlboro Pike in District Heights this coming weekend for the Walk In My Shoes program.Rennee Johnson, who is outreach coordinator for the Walk In My Shoes event sponsored by Victorious Life of Faith Church, said they’ll have food, activities and testimonies from people who have walked in challenging shoes and lived to talk about it.Rennee Johnson, who is outreach coordinator for the event sponsored by Victorious Life of Faith Church, said they’ll have food and activities. She said they will also have testimonies from people who have ...

Colombia suspende el cese del fuego con la disidencia de las FARC tras la muerte de cuatro menores

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente de Colombia, Gustavo Petro, anunció la suspensión del cese del fuego con el disidente grupo armado Estado Mayor Central (EMC-FARC), conformado por antiguos miembros de las FARC, que rechazaron un acuerdo de paz en 2016.El mandatario dijo que el Gobierno “tomó la decisión unilateral de suspender parcialmente los efectos del Decreto 2656 de 2022”, por el cual se acordó un cese del fuego bilateral con el Estado Mayor Central de las FARC-EP, por el “asesinato” de cuatro menores de edad supuestamente por el frente Carolina Ramírez del EMC en el Putumayo. La Oficina del Alto Comisionado para la paz de Colombia responsabilizó este sábado al frente Carolina Ramírez del EMC-FARC de los hechos.Según el comunicado, los menores fueron secuestrados y posteriormente asesinados cuando el grupo intentaba reclutarlos.“Rechazamos enfáticamente esta conducta criminal del Frente Carolina Ramírez del EMC-Farc que desconoce el DIH y constituye un aten...

When will the hazy skies get clearer?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:11:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The air quality across the Denver metro area has been poor for several days due to wildfires in Canada.Meteorologist Liz McGiffin said the smoke has improved a lot since Friday and Saturday, but there will still be some lingering today and tomorrow.McGiffin said the air quality should improve by Tuesday afternoon. Colorado will have a ‘broiling wet’ summer, Farmer’s Almanac says Is the smoke dangerous?Will the level of smoke be dangerous for your health? Here’s what the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said you should know.“If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill,” CDPHE said. Check the air quality here The CDPHE said tha...