Remember

On Anzac Day people can sometimes be seen wearing sprigs of rosemary at Dawn or Afternoon Services at the local War Memorials. There are 2 main reasons for this. The first is that since ancient times, it has long been believed that rosemary has properties that will improve memory and as such has been associated with fidelity and remembrance. The second is that the plant grew wild over the Gallopili peninsula, a place where many Australian and New Zealand soldiers lost their lives in a botched campaign. The boat carrying the soldiers landed too far north in a barren and exposed area of beach, the solderiers were ambushed by Turkish troops up on steep cliffs surrounding the cove. In the 8 months the soldiers were fighting in Gallipoli, 11410 ANZACs lost their lives. As the great grandaughter of  a man who was sent to that hell and was fortunate enough to return, I personally feel that this plant is a fitting tribute to such a memory. Most people I know are able to conjure up some form of hidden memories from the slight scent of rosemary. It is also tough as old hog nails, thrives in full sun and if you give it a little love and care, it is a most rewarding plant to have in your garden.

I had a friend once tell me that they didnt like dawn service and the like as they thought that it glorified war. It kinda shook me as I would go to ANZAC services as a teenager, I occasionally go to a Dawn Service. I didnt realise some people thought that way. To anyone who believes this please understand, nobody celebrates the old lie of the glory of war. War is hell. We celebrate and remember the mateship and comradery between those who fought for our freedom. To remember and give pause for those who never got to come home. And to stand together in hope that peace will prevail. Lest we forget.

Creepy Crawlys

Ok, I realise that this is mounds of unfair. I take a hiatus because life is being a bit on the crummy side and when I return I fill your computer screen with a vicious creepy crawly. Please bare with me. I have wanted to post about these guys for a while, and when my brain is in the mood for blogging then I really do try to take advantage of it. If it wants to tell you about centipedes, then you may as well listen, Im sure nicer things will follow. If you are arachnophobic, or scared of anything that has lots of legs, For goodness sake do not google this creature or its genus.

First rule of centipedes, DONT PICK IT UP! Im a little upset I wasnt quick enough to get a shot of his head, as it is the part of a centipede you need to avoid. Centipedes have modified pincer-like foreleg called "forcipules", in laymens terms this is a stabby like limb that injects venom. Avoid, I have heard it is many levels of not fun. Rarely fatal, more a swollen and extreme ouchy of unpleasantness. Worse if your allergic. Probably see a doctor.

Primarily nocturnal hunters, they do not have true vision like humans. They can have a cluster of eye like structures that in all honesty, mostly just tell the difference between light and dark. They pretty much rely on their antennae to find their way around, and the funny looking appendages on their tail also serve as antennae. Kinda like having eyes on the back of your head.

Visitor

Life has taken a few unexpected turns in the past month or so, to say the least. So I do apologise for taking so long to blog. I have been meaning to introduce you all to this little dragonfly I met a few weeks ago. I was spraying the weeds in the spillway in Minnawarra when I spotted him. His wings caught the light and shone a bit, it kind of comes up in the first photo. He even let me pick him up briefly.

Always nice to have a visitor.

Damsel

I do so enjoy it when a damselfly comes to say hello. Damselflies are of the same family as dragonflies however they tend to be smaller and more delicate than Dragonflies. They arent as strong a flier as their counterparts, and tend to fold their wings behind them when resting. I personally find them alot more bolder than dragonflies, as they will almost always pose for photos if youre gentle enough.

Tropical Touch

Ok, first thing I will say about bromiliads is that they are fantastic at attracting mosquitoes. The general funnel and cup shape of the plant allows it to store a reservoir of water in its center, and mozzies love stagnant pools of water to lay their eggs in. Just make sure you have a healthy garden before you plant them and the frogs and other predatory critters should help keep them in check. After all, bromiliads are stunning plants that are great at adding a tropical touch to your garden, especially when they can have such fascinating and unusual flowers. They dont require a heap of water once theyre established. Ive had one growing in a pot for years and am quite proficient at killing pot plants. It even flowers! Im impressed by its sheer audacity to live through my absent minded home pot plant care.

Red

The modern red roses that we know today were hybridized from red roses that were introduced to Europe from China in the 1800's. Symbolising deep love, passion, affection, beauty and desire, they are the most traditional of Valentine's Day flowers and are a time honoured way of telling someone "I love you". Red was associated with Aphrodite and Venus, the Greek and Roman Goddesses of Love. It has long since been used to decorate weddings and similar ceremonies, so when the giving of flowers and gifts became popular gestures of love, red roses were a natural choice. The deeper the shade of red, the deeper the feelings of the giver.  I was surprised to learn that even the number of red roses you receive conveys additional meanings to the "I Love You" message:
1 Red Rose - I love you deeply
2 Red Roses tied together - Engagement "Will you marry me?"
Dozen Red Roses - Gratitude
25 Red Roses - Congratulations
50 Red Roses - I love you unconditionally

Red is also a colour that symbolises power and strenght, so outside of Valentines Day, it is good as a congratulations gift, or for the birth of a child.

One thing to remember though, like all relationships, the giving of gifts and such conveys a personal meaning more so then a traditional meaning. If your sweetheart doesnt like the colour red, then for goodness sake dont get them red. If you can only afford one rose, dont break the bank to get him/her 50 roses when you know that they would appreciate just one. Hell, I would even appreciate just a hand drawn picture of a rose. Valentines Day is and always should be about celebrating the person you love and finding a way to tell them so. Not big grand displays of over the top frou frou. The simple "I love you", a small token (even if its just cooking breakfast in bed) and a kiss should always be more than enough for Valentine's, everything else is a bonus.

Pink

Pink roses were the first colour of rose to be cultivated, ranging from faint blushing pinks to a deep pink. They are quite possibly the oldest colour of rose and have been depicted in some of the earliest known artworks. They were depicted as symbols of gentility, admiration, grace and elegance.  More subdued than their red counterparts, pink roses are a gift of beauty and are perfect for the secret admirer. After all who doesnt have butterflies in their tummy and blush pink after a first kiss ...

Pink is typically associated with little girls, which is where they can acquire and innocence about them, so they are great for the obvious gift to a little girl. If you look beyond their feminine overtones they can be used for many different occasions. For couples who are apart, they are good for an "I miss you" gift, the admiration of beauty from afar. With their grace and admiration qualities they are good for congratulations, promotions or even just something to make someone smile.