All in the Family: Pets 

So you have a new pet.  No matter, cat, dog, goat, pig, lama, whatever, we as humans give our pets names.  I am southern, so in the south we all have at least 3 names and 70% of the time go by 2 names example my sister in laws are Linda Sue and Nina Lou. So that being said my cats have always had 2 names and a surname. Yes, I am the crazy cat woman.  Now my female cat which recently passed (side not in the south nothing dies, everything passes) was names Butter Bean Houdini VonCannon.  See how this is going? 

A stranger is only a stranger until you know their name.

Names, that is personal names, are more than just an easy term of reference. Names endow a sense of individuality in the self, as well as commonality among the whole. That may be why when we learn a person’s name, even if really nothing else about them, we’ve a tendency to feel more connected, and more willing to invite them to feel the same — hence the exchange of names almost always leads our introductions.

In short, names are like passkeys which unlock our empathy, in a single moment capable of transforming a stranger into someone deserving of our decency. But, interestingly, the empathizing effect of knowing someone’s name still applies when its bearer isn’t human.

It was quite likely after our earliest interspecies bonding, with the domestication of dogs some 50,000 years ago, that we first began to bestow some form of personal names upon animals, too — and in so doing, elevated their distinction from a generalized animal, to an individualized companion. It’s not surprising then that, in that recognition, dogs soon gained access to affection and endearment we once reserved only for our own kind.

While these earliest of personal names for animals are unknown, by the 8th century BC in ancient Greece animals with names began to be recorded in literature. The most famous example perhaps is Odysseus’ faithful hound Argos, whose name means “swift foot”, in Homer’s Odyssey. Other classical texts reveal names of horses, bulls, cows, and even elephants owned by hellenistic kings.

In Ancient Rome, personal names for animals abound, given to trusty dogs, horses, and others, and were often chosen from mythology – suggesting that by then animals held a lofty place in the lives of their owners. These non-humans were no longer just animals. Indeed, they were our friends.

Frank Abbott, in his book Society & Politics in Ancient Rome, writes of ancient epitaphs found written in honor of pets. One dog, named Patricus, received this tribute from his grieving owner, revealing a rare early sentiment of love for an animal:

“My eyes were wet with tears, our little dog, when I bore thee (to the grave)… So, Patricus, never again shall thou give me a thousand kisses. Never canst thou be contentedly in my lap. In sadness have I buried thee, and thou deservist. In a resting place of marble, I have put thee for all time by the side of my shade. In thy qualities, sagacious thou wert like a human being. Ah, me! What a loved companion have we lost!”

This tradition of naming and loving animals, opening our hearts and homes to them, carries on well into today.

Throughout the Western World, it has become commonplace to give our animal companions distinctly humans names; In the U.S., the most popular pet names are Max, for males, and Molly, for females. These names have both been among the 100 most popular for human babies in recent years. In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans actually consider their pets a part of their family — a remarkable statistic for interspecies relations.

On With the Names

They’re the monikers of just a few well-known pooches who’ve made headlines in the past few weeks. But how exactly did these dogs get their names — and what psychological influences are at work when we decide what to call our pets? (Think: Which domestic diva would name her Best in Breed Chow Chow after a famous dictator?)

The Experts on their research found— to reveal not only the most popular puppy and kitten names of 2011, but some of the key cultural influences underlying our very personal choices.

The Twilight Effect

Pet names are definitely affected by pop-culture trends.  Bella has topped the list of the most popular female dog and cat names for several years running, thanks to a heroine of the same name in the Twilight series.

When it comes to kittens, Simba became one of the top male cat names with the release of The Lion King, and all the hubbub surrounding Princess Kate’s comely younger sister whose royal wedding allowed the name Pippa to cat-apult into place as one of the hottest female names that year. 

Pet names also reflect larger cultural trends. The 1960s counterculture led to popular names like Flower and Peace, but Steven May, editor of The Daily Growl, says we’re most interested in naming our four-legged friends after influential people today, from actors and musicians to sports figures and politicians. “Owners who name their pets after a public figure tend to want that constant reminder and connection,” he says.

In Los Angeles, where May lives, Kobe (as in Bryant, the L.A. Laker) is one hot dog name. On the East Coast, Perling says that New York Yankee Derek Jeter’s hitting streak coincided with an uptick in canines who share his last name.

And names influenced by pop culture can literally hit the charts overnight. “I expect we’ll be seeing a lot more Adeles and Whitneys,” May predicts.

People Who Need People Names

Another growing pet-naming trend is giving animals names normally reserved for your step-dad or sibling. In other words, we’re forgoing names like Fido and Bruiser and opting instead for common human monikers — due to a desire to make our pets even more a part of the family.

“Our top 10 most popular pet names have pretty much held steady over the past few years,” Perling says. “Max is the top name for male dogs and cats.” Also on the “it” list are common first names like Charlie and Jack. For the ladies, Daisy, Molly and Lucy all number in the top 10, with Sophie and Chloe climbing the charts for female cats.

“Human names are definitely trending,” she says, “especially the classic and retro ones.” We certainly found this to be true when compiling our list of the top 10 trendiest cat and dog names.

You can chalk this trend up to a cultural sea change: “In the last five to 20 years, we’ve seen a rise in the emotional bonding and connection with our pets, and that leads to giving them more human names,” Perling says. “With people deciding to have families later in life, they can use a puppy or kitten as a tryout. I think the names reflect that.”

Cute Pet Names Times Two

As for what’s next, in the same way that delaying families has led to an increase in twins, many pet parents are bringing home two furry bundles of joy at a time.

“We’re seeing a lot of fun pair names,” Perling says. “Laverne and Shirley, Goofus and Gallant — we have a whole big list.” That includes two names that can’t help but go great together: P.B. and Jelly.

All the President’s Pets

The Best Pet Name Book Ever, written by Wayne Bryant Eldrige, says that Rufus, for example, was the name of a poodle owned by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Maybe these politicians created trends in their heyday:

Blacky was President Calvin Coolidge’s black cat.

Lady was one of George Washington’s dogs.

Rover was Lydon Johnson’s first dog.

Ronald Regan’s Cocker Spaniel was named Rex.

Abraham Lincoln’s sons had a pup named Fido.

So Long, Spot

So what happened to Rover, Rufus and Lady? People are choosing human names to give their pets relevant places in their household. By making the name personal, or even a person’s name, they’re establishing their pet’s place as a genuine member of the family, too.

Some folks pick names for their pets like, Kallie and Emma, by flipping through a baby name book. Example is Betty, short for Queen Elizabeth, was picked when the cat returned home wearing a thick, queen-like collar to protect her boo-boo.

Naming is “Ruff”

If you’re still struggling to come up with something imaginative, go to bowwow.com to search thousands of names. They’ve put together various lists with suggestions from readers and regularly feature names of the month. (You can find the meaning of your pet’s name, too.)

Here are some quick naming tips:

Use breed heritage as an inspiration. Consider a French name for your Poodle, something German for a Shepherd, Schnauzer or Dashshund or Scottish for your Terrier.

Wait a few days after getting your pet to learn something about his behavior or appearance that might lead to a name.

Pick a name that will grow with your pet. The name Kitten, for example, might not be appropriate for a full grown cat.

Around the World and Other Places

Despite our history of naming animals and welcoming them into our inner circles, many other unnamed animals have been driven to extinction because they were beyond the boundaries of our empathy. Interestingly, conservationists haven’t failed noticed that we are more prone to cherish what we name and have begun using that fact to help preserve species with whom we would otherwise be strangers.

Environmentalists in Rwanda have adopted a novel approach to conserving one of our closest primate cousins, a dwindling population of Mountain Gorillas. As part of a tradition which started in 2003, every newborn gorilla discovered born in the wild is celebrated in a widely-attended naming party, known as Kwita Izina. And the nominal gesture has had measurable effect; Since the tradition began, Rwanda’s population of Mountain Gorillas has rebounded, increasing by 23 percent.

In some traditional Asian cultures, common pets like cats and dogs are not usually given human names as it is perceived as insulting to those people of the same name. Coincidently, consuming these animals often doesn’t carry the same taboo in the East as does in the West, and it’s likely that a family-like esteem for them, or the lack thereof, is equally perplexing to both.

In New Zealand, a species of flightless bird called Kakapo was nearly driven to the verge of extinction last century from introduced predators. By the 1970s, only 14 of these birds were known to exist. Not long after, a conservation plan was launched, which included finding and relocating all remaining kakapos to an island cleared of threats — giving each rare bird a name in the process. Today, the kakapo continue to recover, now numbering 124 individuals, all whom have a name.

Zoos, aquariums, and marine parks have also realized the powerful effect giving animals personal names can have on visitors, and now it’s common for zoos to hold events or contests to name newborn animals or to refer to them by name before their species. All this adds up to create an emotional experience, one that draws in the crowds more than a science-minded one. Animals individualized with names can become star attractions. “Shamu” sells tickets better than simply “orca” ever would. And it’s no wonder — we care more about animals we name.

But this effect designed to make visitors feel more connected to animals at their facilities presents a challenge for zoos, aquariums, and marine parks as well. Last week, the Copenhagen Zoo sparked outrage a healthy giraffe was needlessly euthanized — not just any giraffe though, a giraffe named Marius. By naming animals, giving them individualized identities, facilities keeping them captive create an untenable equation: once we care, we might not want them there.

Giving animals names, even those that are not our pets, ultimately means nothing for the animals themselves, but it does change the way we regard them. And at a time when countless creatures are imperiled by the callous or cruel side of human nature, it’s more important than ever to stop being strangers — even if the names we give them never leave our lips.

One last tip, I have always adopted stray, feral, shelter, etc. pets as they really need a name and someone to love and care for them.  

To Be or Not To Be: Why Stand We Here Idle 

This famous speech of Patrick Henry, who was from Hanover County Virginia, at the Second Virginia Convention spoke these stirring words at the 1775 Virginia Convention, take a look back at the speech that included the famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

My Fourth Grade teacher Ms Minks, had my class learn this speech and was given a test on it. I think she may have had a crush on Mr Henry.

Revolution was in the air in early 1775. Only a few months earlier, delegates from the American colonies had held the first Continental Congress and sent Britain’s King George III a petition for redress of grievances, among them the repeal of the so-called “Intolerable Acts.” A mass boycott of British goods was underway, and Boston Harbor still languished under a British blockade as punishment for 1773’s Boston Tea Party. In a speech to Parliament in late-1774, King George had denounced the “daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to the law” which seemed to be spreading like wildfire across the American continent.

Amid these mounting tensions, the Second Virginia Convention convened to discuss the Old Dominion’s strategy in negotiating with the Crown. The roughly 120 delegates who filed into Richmond’s St. John’s Church were a veritable “who’s who” of Virginia’s colonial leaders. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both in attendance, as were five of the six other Virginians who would later sign the Declaration of Independence. Prominent among the bewigged statesmen was Patrick Henry, a well-respected lawyer from Hanover County. Blessed with an unfailing wit and mellifluous speaking voice, Henry had long held a reputation as one of Virginia’s most vociferous opponents of British taxation schemes. During the Stamp Act controversy in 1765, he had even flirted with treason in a speech in which he hinted that King George risked suffering the same fate as Julius Caesar if he maintained his oppressive policies. As a recent delegate to the Continental Congress, he had sounded the call for colonial solidarity by proclaiming, “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian; I am an American.”

Henry was convinced that war was around the corner, and he arrived at the Virginia Convention determined to persuade his fellow delegates to adopt a defensive stance against Great Britain. On March 23, he put forward a resolution proposing that Virginia’s counties raise militiamen “to secure our inestimable rights and liberties, from those further violations with which they are threatened.” The suggestion of forming a militia was not shocking in itself. Other colonies had passed similar resolutions, and Henry had already taken it upon himself to raise a volunteer outfit in Hanover County. Nevertheless, many in the audience balked at approving any measure that might be viewed as combative. Word that King George had rejected the Continental Congress’s petition for redress of grievances was yet to reach the colonies, and some still held out hope for a peaceful reconciliation with Britain.

After several delegates had spoken on the issue, Patrick Henry rose from his seat in the third pew and took the floor. A Baptist minister who was watching the proceedings would later describe him as having “an unearthly fire burning in his eye.” Just what happened next has long been a subject of debate. Henry spoke without notes, and no transcripts of his exact words have survived to today. The only known version of his remarks was reconstructed in the early 1800s by William Wirt, a biographer who corresponded with several men that attended the Convention. According to this version, Henry began by stating his intention to “speak forth my sentiments freely” before launching into an eloquent warning against appeasing the Crown.

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided,” he said, “and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House?”

Henry then turned his attention to the British troops mobilizing across the colonies. “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?” he asked. “Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? …Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other.”

As he continued speaking, Henry’s dulcet tones began to darken with anger. “Excitement began to play more and more upon his features,” the minister later said. “The tendons of his neck stood out white and rigid like whipcords.”

“Our petitions have been slighted,” Henry said, “our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne…we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!”

Henry stood silent for a moment, letting his defiant words hang in the air. When he finally began speaking again, it was in a thunderous bellow that seemed to shake “the walls of the building and all within them.” His fellow delegates leaned forward in their seats as he reached his crescendo.

“The war is actually begun!” Henry cried. “The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” As he spoke, Henry held his wrists together as though they were manacled and raised them toward the heavens. “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty”—Henry burst from his imaginary chains and grasped an ivory letter opener—“or give me death!” As he uttered these final words, he plunged the letter opener toward his chest, mimicking a knife blow to the heart.

For several moments after Henry sat back down, the assembled delegates seemed at a loss for words. “No other member…was yet adventurous enough to interfere with that voice which had so recently subdued and captivated,” delegate Edmund Randolph later said. A hushed silence descended on the room. “Every eye yet gazed entranced on Henry,” said the Baptist minister. “Men were beside themselves.” Colonel Edward Carrington, one of the many people watching the proceedings through the church windows, was so moved that he stood and proclaimed to his fellow spectators, “Let me be buried at this spot!” When he died decades later, his widow honored his request.

While some of the Convention’s delegates clung to their loyalist stance—one even called Henry’s words “infamously insolent”—the “Liberty or Death” speech tipped the scales in favor of defensive action. After Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson both lent their support, the resolution passed by only a few votes. Henry was appointed the head of a new committee charged with readying the Virginia militia for combat.

Henry’s call to arms came at a pivotal moment. Less than a month later, skirmishes between British troops and colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord resulted in “the shot heard round the world” and the first casualties of the Revolutionary War. In Virginia, scores of colonials—many of whom had embroidered the words “Liberty or Death” onto their shirts—flocked to join local militias. “The sword is now drawn,” wrote the Virginia Gazette, “and God knows when it will be sheathed.”

Patrick Henry would go on to serve as both a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and as Virginia’s governor. He played a crucial role in securing men and arms for George Washington’s Continental Army, but many would credit his silver tongue as having been his most indispensable contribution to American independence. “It is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry,” Thomas Jefferson later wrote. “He was before us all in maintaining the spirit of the Revolution.”

The Church where the meeting was held is St John’s Church in Richmond Virginia, which is the oldest church in Richmond. It was built in 1741. The church is still there today and open for tours. 

Let Me Take You Down To The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

My first time I ever road on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel I was in my early 50s.  I made the trip by myself.  To say the least it was like an outer body experience. I was going over with a buyer to view property.  I kept my cool so my buyer never knew I was white knuckle to whole time over and back.  

What might be a scary trip for some is thrilling for others when it comes to crossing nearly 20 miles of this bridge and tunnel system.

If you’ve never had to cross the Chesapeake Bay from the Delmarva Peninsula to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, then you probably wouldn’t know about the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. In this quiet, unsuspecting southern location, there’s a bridge that spans from one piece of land to the other, covering a distance of nearly 20 miles. When one thinks of a bridge system, they typically think of a series of bridges that connects various pieces of land within a bay – rather than a bridge that spans across an entire bay, with no land in between, for miles and miles on end.

The Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel is a modern feat of engineering but it’s also considered to be one of the scariest roads – or bridges, technically – in the country. For those who have a fear of heights, open spaces, or open water, it’s not destined to be the more thrilling of experiences. However, depending on your take about having the chance to drive across what was once considered one of seven global engineering wonders, it can also be a truly humbling experience.

Crossing The Bay In An Extreme Way

When travelers come up to this extensive water crossing, it’s more akin to looking at a giant concrete serpent that’s snaking through the water, all the way to a sight unseen. It boasts a different kind of awe than bridges carved out by nature, but even so, it’s easy to imagine the bridge itself coming alive to take on some form of a sea monster that resembles Loch Ness, with each rise and fall of the bridge being a hump on the monster’s back. In reality, it’s a mix of concrete, cement, asphalt, and steel that make up this immoveable giant, and it truly is a masterpiece.

The bridge itself is not very wide and allows only enough room for two passing lanes of cars, with two, two-lane bridges running parallel to each other, side by side, for almost 20 miles. It’s the kind of bridge that you don’t want to get caught on during windy weather or a rainstorm and especially not in traffic (which does happen). As opposed to a suspension bridge, the Bay-Bridge Tunnel doesn’t have the height of other bridges, making drivers feel as though they’re driving just over the surface of the water with not much distance between their cars and the lapping waves below… and this is all before reaching the first tunnel.

On a clear, sunny day, the drive across the bridge is absolutely stunning. However, there are also two tunnels that make up parts of this bridge, each just over a mile long in length. These tunnels were built to allow cargo ships to cross, as shipment in and out of this bay is too frequent to permit only a bridge. Therefore, it’s not an uncommon sight to watch a cargo ship pass by over the tunnel drivers are about to descend into and, when you come up on the other side it’s not unusual to see the cargo ship on the other side of the tunnel in your rearview mirror.

The best way to describe it is tripping and slightly unnerving, but altogether amazing nonetheless. The tunnels themselves are simple, tiled walls, with slightly curved sides that make drivers feel as though they’re speeding through a subway station. It’s always important to stay alert both in tunnels and on the bridge.

No Pulling Off

The second thing that many drivers realize is that there’s nowhere to pull off to the side of the bridge. Along the way, there are some wider shoulders that allow for two, maybe three cars, to pull to the side in the event of an emergency, but that’s it. Therefore, once a person has committed, they’re pretty much in it for the full 20-minute drive across open water. Fear not, though – an artificial island created in the center of the Bridge-Tunnel not only allows drivers to take a break but is also home to a small restaurant and gift shop. However, travelers won’t have the chance to explore this unique stop-off point until 2024 as another tunnel section at the Thimble Shoal Channel is currently being constructed.

For over 57 years since its completion in 1964, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has garnered global attention as a mind-boggling engineering wonder and an incredible East Coast travel convenience. In fact, it commanded so much marvel and awe that it was selected during a worldwide competition as one of “The Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World” after its grand opening on April 15, 1964.

The competition also included over a hundred other major global projects, which just goes to show how unbeatable the bridge was as a sample of extreme technological, mechanical, and architectural amazement that impressed the entire planet at the time. Further to this esteemed award, it was branded a “The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement” by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1965 – just a year after it took the world by storm.

In its heyday, it was also the largest consecutive bay-bridge crossing in the world, and while it’s now one of, its incredible construction is no less impressive or humbling. With an extensive working of tressels, roadways, and four artificial islands that were sunk 40 feet below the surface to create the gradual descending of each tunnel, the CBBT might be scary for some, but it’s a true marvel for most of the world’s population.

Furthermore, it’s not just for its modern architectural and technological wonder for which it’s been celebrated with such esteemed awards; the bridge-tunnel also offers the utmost convenience and is an exceptional travel hack for those on the East Coast. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a direct and easy link between South-eastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula (comprising Delaware and the Eastern Shore counties in Maryland and Virginia). Overall, the connection chops off a whopping 95 miles from the route between Virginia Beach and areas north of Wilmington, which all in all makes a massive difference to everyone’s gas consumption as well as their driving time.

Also, to meet future traffic demands and offer a safer crossing, a parallel crossing project commenced in the summer of 1995, opening four lanes on the bridge for traffic upon its completion on April 19, 1999. This extra construction project was just as challenging as building the bridge-tunnel itself, and once again earned the world’s attention for being a tremendous example of a modern engineering achievement.

What’s more, over 150 million commercial and passenger vehicles have crossed the insta-worthy bridge-tunnel so far in the current day, proving it to be an indispensable path that has changed the commutes of many in the region.

Facts

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel is a 17.6-mile bridge–tunnel that crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay between Delmarva and Hampton Roads in the U.S. state of Virginia. It opened in 1964, replacing ferries that had operated since the 1930s. Wikipedia

Total length: 92,848′

Construction started: October 26, 1960

Opened: April 15, 1964

Clearance below: 40′

Bridge type: Bridge–tunnel

Architecture firm: Sverdrup & Parcel

Location: Virginia Beach, Cape Charles

Cars $14 (Each direction & off-peak. $18 Peak. Round trip discount available.) E-ZPass

IRIS: The Plant That Keeps on Giving

I love the Iris plants, this flowering plant was also one of my mother’s favorite flowers. Some states even have an Iris Festival yearly. The one near me is in Richmond Va and it is a wonderful way to spend the day. So let’s talk Iris talk now.

With many different types and colors available, there is an iris for nearly every garden. Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, irises bring color to the garden in spring and summer. The vast majority are hybrids with the most popular being bearded irises. Other popular varieties include Siberian and Japanese irises, Louisiana irises which are native to North America, and Dutch hybrids.

Height/Spread:

Irises come in many different sizes, some as short as six inches and others can grow up to four feet.

Dwarf varieties 6 to 12 inches tall and wide.

Dutch varieties 1-1/2 to 2 feet tall and 6 to 12 inches wide.

Tall bearded varieties range from 2 to 4 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide.

Exposure:

Irises need full sun at least half the day. Some varieties will tolerate part shade such as Siberian irises and Pacific Coast natives (Iris innominata, Iris tenax, Iris macrosiphon and Iris douglasiana). Many irises will grow in total shade, but they most likely won’t flower.

Bloom Time:

The majority of irises will bloom in spring or summer. Dwarf varieties tend to bloom earlier in spring, with intermediate sizes blooming later spring, and taller bearded varieties blooming late spring and summer. Reblooming varieties will produce flowers once in summer and again in fall.

Color:

There is an extremely wide variety of colors, ranging from white to almost black; although most common in shades of lavender, purple, white and yellow.

Toxicity:

Iris are known to be toxic to pets, with the bulb being the most toxic part.

TYPES OF IRISES

There are 2 main groups of irises: rhizomatous and bulbous. The bulbous irises bloom in late spring, while the rhizomatous irises bloom during summer.

Rhizomatous irises:

Grown from rhizomes (a type of bulb) and can be further divided into 3 categories:

Bearded: Bearded irises are the most widely grown and get their name from the prominent ‘beard’ of white or colored hairs in the center of each fall (outer surrounding petals). Many varieties will produce multiple flowers per stem and are available in a wide range of colors.

Beardless: Beardless irises include the Siberian, Japanese, Pacific Coast and Louisiana types, and all have smooth falls. Siberian irises are known to be highly adaptable and a good choice for low maintenance mixed borders. Japanese and Louisiana varieties are better suited for moist to wet soils, while the Pacific Coast varieties are best in milder climates with winter rain and drier summers.

Crested: Crested irises do well in full sun or partial shade areas in moist, humus-rich soil.

Bulbous irises:

This group includes the Dutch hybrids and the smaller reticulated or dwarf irises. They all shed their leaves after the blooming season and go into a dormant phase over summer. Dutch hybrids tend to bloom earlier than the tall bearded rhizomatous varieties and are the well-known variety featured in florist’s spring bouquets. Reticulated irises are well-suited for growing in groups, but should be divided every two to three years to prevent overcrowding. They are also good for rock gardens and forcing in pots.

PLANTING IRISES

When to plant:

The best time to plant iris rhizomes or bulbs is late summer to early autumn to allow them plenty of time to establish roots before the growing season ends. In hotter climates, they can be planted in September or October.

Where to plant:

 Choose a sunny location for your irises where they won’t be subject to standing water. Raised beds are ideal for growing irises, as they provide the good drainage needed.

How to plant:

Prepare the planting beds up to two weeks ahead by loosening soil to a depth of 10-12 inches to establish good drainage. At this time, organic matter can also be mixed in. Iris rhizomes should be planted so that they are slightly visible on the soil surface, or thinly covered in warmer climates. They can be top dressed with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (avoid high-nitrogen as it can cause rot). Make 2 rows in the soil with a small ridge in between. Place the rhizome on the ridge and spread the roots to either side. Steve Schreiner, of Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in Oregon, says, “There are two reasons irises don’t bloom: planted too deep or not enough sun.” Iris bulbs, such as Dutch irises, should be planted at a depth of 5 inches, pointed end up and roots down, spacing them at 6 bulbs per square foot.

Soil:

Most irises prefer average to fertile, neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained soil. However, Japanese irises prefer lime-free soil.

IRIS CARE

Maintenance:

Cut back the flowering stalks after flowering, but leave the foliage intact so it can continue to gather and store nutrients and energy to be stored for the following season. Trim leaves off at ground level after they turn yellow in fall; this will reduce the possibility of overwintering diseases or pests.

Dividing Iris Rhizomes:

Rhizomatous types need to be divided every 3-5 years, typically soon after bloom time. A reduction in blooming or rhizomes being pushed up out of the soil can be signs that it’s time to dig them up and divide. If this is a dividing year, don’t cut the foliage back – so you know where they are. Dig the rhizomes up carefully and divide them by pulling apart with your hands. Some, however, may need to be cut with a knife. Healthy rhizomes will be approximately ¾ to 1-inch in diameter, with a good root structure and one to two leaf fans. Older or unhealthy (soft, rotting, or hollow) rhizomes should be discarded. Wash the roots with water and inspect for disease or pests, especially iris borer worms. Trim the leaves to 4 to 6 inches and re-plant as above, with the rhizome on a ridge and roots fanned out. Water newly planted irises well.

Amendments & Fertilizer:

Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer a month before bloom time. Mulch should not be used on top of rhizomes or near the foliage as it can cause rot. For reblooming varieties, apply a light application of fertilizer following the first bloom and water regularly during summer dry periods for an improved second bloom in fall.

Watering:

Irises generally have low water requirements once established, but can use a little extra if unusually dry just before bloom time. Louisiana, Siberian and Japanese irises need more water than the bearded types.

Propagation:

Although irises can be started from seed, it may be a couple of years before they bloom. Most often, they are propagated by division of the bulbs or rhizomes in late summer or early fall.

Diseases and Pests:

Irises can be severely damaged by iris borers and thrips if not controlled. Whiteflies, slugs, snails, aphids and nematodes may also be a nuisance. Deer will seldom harm irises, but may occasionally bite off the blossoms of the crested types, although will usually spit them out and leave them behind. Irises may also be affected by bacterial leaf blight, rhizome rot, leaf spot, rust, and viruses.

Other:

All parts of irises may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Gloves should be worn when handling iris plants, rhizomes, or bulbs, as the sap can cause skin irritation.

So get some bulbs, ask a friend when they divide there’s for some and plant! You will be amazed! 

You Waited a Decade to See this Bloom: But Oh That Smell! 

Not all Flowers smell wonderful when they bloom. They may be beautiful but the smell you may not like. Even if the flower is very rare.

In previous years, corpse flower blooms have drawn large crowds and three-hour wait times. What makes this stinky flora so special?

The corpse flower smells like… well, a dead body. Given its rotting odor, the plant, whose technical name is Amorphophallus titanum has also been dubbed the corpse bride, corpse plant, and the world’s smelliest flower.

The plant’s smell has also been likened to “Limburger cheese, garlic, rotting fish, and smelly feet.”

The titan arum is a flowering plant, native to Indonesia’s island of Sumatra. The plant’s full bloom only once every seven to ten years. This rare event only lasts 24 to 36 hours. Generally, the flower will open mid-afternoon and stay open all through the night and into the next morning.

The corpse flower is classified as endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild. Flower enthusiasts travel from all over the world to witness this infrequent occurrence. Visitors will return day after day to conservatories, greenhouses, and botanical gardens with a predicted corpse flower bloom so as not to miss the short window.

Why does it smell?

The corpse flower’s scent is a chemical combination of dimethyl trisulfide, isovaleric acid, dimethyl disulfide, benzyl alcohol, indole, and trimethylamine. The odor is meant to mimic decomposition in order to attract its native pollinators– carrion beetles and flesh flies– who are drawn to the smell of decaying meat.

The potency of the stench gradually increases from late evening until the middle of the night– when pollinators are most active. The smell tapers off in the morning.

The titan arum’s inflorescence can reach more than 10 feet in height. And just the leaf structure alone can reach up to 20 feet tall and 16 feet across. The plants underground stem, or corm, can weigh up to 110 pounds.

But blooming does not mark the end of the corpse flower’s lifecycle. If pollinated, the titan arum will produce fruit for about the next nine months. Once the fruit has ripened, the plant will die and emerge again as a leaf after a yearlong period of dormancy, then begin its lifecycle again.

Where can I see a corpse flower bloom?

Titan arum are native to Indonesia, but there are botanists around the world who cultivate the plants. Corpse flowers are in cultivation in Europe, North & South America, Australia, and Asia. Check out your local botanical gardens to see if a corpse flower near you is blooming in 2022!

A Few Hearsay about Founding Mothers, Not kidding!

We all can picture the Founding Fathers, gathered in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, debating what to do about tyrannical Britain, and finally signing their names onto the Declaration of Independence. But what about the Founding Mothers? Often the women of revolutionary America are entirely forgotten. But women were alive during the Revolutionary War and did things worthy of remembrance just like male counterparts. During this time women were often relegated to the home and expected to behave and not make waves. But did they? Let’s examine some myths about women during the Revolutionary War and try to find the truth.

1. Women did not own businesses or have employment outside of the home.

This one is unequivocally false. Thousands of women in colonial America had paying jobs outside of the home. Some even ran their own businesses. Just two such women were Betsy Ross and Mary Katherine Goddard.

Mary Katherine Goddard’s name at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence.

CREDIT: Library of Congress

Mary Katherine Goddard (alternately spelled Katharine) is someone you’ve probably never heard of. She owned a publishing house in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her printing business, she ran the Baltimore post office, a bookstore, and published a newspaper, the Maryland Journal. Goddard was the first printer to publish the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. Previously only the text of the declaration and John Hancock’s name had been printed. With Goddard’s printing, all the signers names were included and she included her name at the bottom as well, making her a defacto signer of the Declaration. By including her name, she was putting herself at risk for treason charges as well. Goddard bravely used her company in aid to the Revolution at a time when women in business and politics was rare.

CREDIT: Library of Congress

Betsy Ross, along with her husband John Ross, were upholsterers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She actively worked and made money as an upholsterer and may have sewn and sold flags during the last few years of the Revolutionary War. One of the Ross’ best-known customers was General George Washington. According to period sources, on September 23, 1774, Washington made a payment for three bedcoverings to “Mr. Ross the upholsterer” in Philadelphia. It is more than likely that Mrs. Ross assisted in the creation of these bedcoverings for Washington.

Side Myth: While Betsy Ross was an upholsterer and may have made flags, there is little to no evidence to support the claim that she made the first American flag at the behest of General Washington. The first mention of Ross making the flag comes from her grandson, William Canby, in 1870. He introduced his evidence to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in the hopes that his grandmother would be remembered for her accomplishments. His evidence was made up of affidavits from family members, none of whom were alive when the supposed flag making took place. Canby claimed that he heard his grandmother time and again tell the story of how Washington came to her to ask her to make the flag. Unfortunately, there is no definitive historical evidence that can be found tying Washington and Ross to the creation of the American flag. We may never know exactly how, when, and by whom, the first American flag was created but we do know that she had a job that brought in money.

2. Women were not involved in the war efforts and did not participate in the Revolutionary War.

False! In fact, women were a constant presence in military camps throughout the Revolutionary War. There were thousands of camp followers including women and children. They were there for different reasons. Some were following their husbands or another male family member, while others were looking for steady employment and got jobs as laundresses or cooks. Martha Washington, for instance, stayed at every winter encampment with her husband during the war. While in camp, she formed sewing circles to make socks and clothing for the soldiers and organized aid and supplies for the hundreds of ailing men. Not all women stayed in camp though. There were some who actually got involved in the fighting and served in the thick of battles. Deborah Sampson, Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, and Margaret Cochran Corbin were just some of the women known to have fought on the front lines.

Deborah Sampson was a teacher and a weaver, but in 1782, after years of war, she decided to join the fight. She dressed as a man and joined the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment as Robert Shurtleff. She was an adept soldier, participating in hand-to-hand combat and even leading a group to capture 15 men holed up in a Tory home. At one point, Sampson was shot in the left thigh and to escape detection she dug the bullet out herself. She was finally discovered about a year and half into her service when she became ill and lost consciousness. Sampson was honorably discharged on October 23, 1783 and received a pension from the Massachusetts government for her military service.

Molly Pitcher c. 1911. Legend

CREDIT E. Percy Moran/Library of Congress

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley and Margaret Cochran Corbin have very similar stories: both women were camp followers; both women were tasked with bringing water to the front lines during battle; and when their husbands collapsed, both women stepped up to man the cannons and continued fighting until the battle concluded. McCauley (Hays at the time) was at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Her husband collapsed from supposed heat exhaustion while manning his cannon, she stepped up, and took her husband’s place. Multiple soldiers at that battle corroborate McCauley’s story.

Corbin was at the Battle of Fort Washington on November 16, 1776 when her husband was killed. Her story is a bit different because she was wounded in the process, sustaining three gunshot wounds. Corbin survived the battle and successfully gained a pension along with a clothing allowance. After her death in 1800, she was buried along the shore of the Hudson River but was later reinterred at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the only female Revolutionary War veteran buried there. Both McCauley and Corbin are believed to be the inspiration for the legend of Molly Pitcher.

3. Women were demure, stayed at home, and did not get involved in political discourse or activities.

CREDIT Robert Sayer and John Bennett/Library of Congress

This could not be more wrong. While many or most women did shy away from political discourse and public acts, there are many examples that prove this was not universally the case. The best example comes from the Edenton Tea Party. We all know of the December 16, 1773 Boston Tea Party that was accomplished by an all-male band of Massachusetts colonists. The Edenton Tea Party occurred about a year later in Edenton, North Carolina. A group of 51 women, led by Penelope Barker, gathered for a meeting of the Edenton Ladies Patriotic Guild on October 25, 1774. They drank a concoction of local tea referred, to as “balsamic Hyperion,” and drafted a notice of protest against the British Tea Act of 1773. They wrote up a resolution stating their displeasure with the taxes and vowed to not buy British tea or cloth. News of the resolution made its way throughout the colonies and over to England where political cartoons satirizing the women were published. There is even some evidence that women took this a step further and burned their tea in Wilmington, North Carolina sometime in 1775.

On the other side of the fight was Molly Brandt, who was deeply involved in the Revolutionary War as a Loyalist. Brandt was a Mohawk Indian who spent a considerable amount of time gathering Native support for the British. She believed that native peoples would be best treated under British rule and she successfully brought five of the six Iroquois tribes to the British side. Because of her Loyalist leanings, her property in New York was taken by Patriots and she, along with thousands of other Mohawks, fled across the border to the Canadian frontier in November 1777. After the war Brandt and her brother Thayendanegea (also known as Joseph) successfully petitioned the British government for a pension. Today, Brandt is known as one of Canada’s Founding Mothers.

There are many myths surrounding Founding Mothers. By examining just a few myths, it is easy to see that women were involved in almost every aspect of the Revolutionary War. The women mentioned above, and countless others, all helped to shape this country into what it is today. They played a significant role in the political discourse of the era at a time when women were expected to stay home and take care of the family. While their stories may have been fictionalized over time, these women should be remembered for their lasting impact on America since the founding of this country.

Founding Leaders:  Age Was Not A Factor

How old were the Founding Fathers when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776?

It’s a simple question—perhaps so basic that it’s been overlooked: How old were the leaders of the American Revolution?

As it turns out, many Founding Fathers were younger than 40 years old in 1776, with several qualifying as Founding Teenagers or Twentysomethings. And though the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44, more than a dozen of them were 35 or younger.

“We tend to see them as much older than they were,” said John Adams biographer David McCullough in a 2005 speech. “Because we’re seeing them in portraits by Gilbert Stuart and others when they were truly the Founding Fathers—when they were president or chief justice of the Supreme Court and their hair, if it hadn’t turned white, was powdered white. We see the awkward teeth. We see the elder statesmen. At the time of the revolution, they were all young. It was a young man’s–young woman’s cause.”

Some were older, like Thomas Jefferson who was 33, John Hancock who was 39, or Benjamin Franklin who was 70. Others were shockingly young — even teenagers. James Monroe, for example, was 18 and Alexander Hamilton was 21.

All Things Liberty compiled a list of the ages of key people during the American Revolution (a period spanning from 1765–1783) when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

 

Andrew Jackson, 9 (this is correct)

(Major) Thomas Young, 12

Deborah Sampson, 15

James Armistead, 15

Joseph Plumb Martin, 15

Peter Salem, 16

Peggy Shippen, 16 (Benedict Arnold wife) 

Marquis de Lafayette, 18

James Monroe, 18

Henry Lee III, 20

Gilbert Stuart, 20

John Trumbull, 20

Aaron Burr, 20

John Marshall, 20

Nathan Hale, 21

Banastre Tarleton, 21

Alexander Hamilton, 21

Benjamin Tallmadge, 22

Robert Townsend, 22

George Rodgers Clark, 23

David Humphreys, 23

Gouveneur Morris, 24

Betsy Ross, 24

William Washington, 24

James Madison, 25

Henry Knox, 25

John Andre, 26

Thomas Lynch, Jr., 26

Edward Rutledge, 26

Abraham Woodhull, 26

Isaiah Thomas, 27

George Walton, 27

John Paul Jones, 28

Bernardo de Galvez, 29

Thomas Heyward, Jr., 29

Robert R. Livingston, 29

John Jay, 30

Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 30

Benjamin Rush, 30

Abigail Adams, 31

John Barry, 31

Elbridge Gerry, 31

Casimir Pulaski, 31

Anthony Wayne, 31

Joseph Brant, 33

Nathanael Greene, 33

Thomas Jefferson, 33

Thomas Stone, 33

William Hooper, 34

Arthur Middleton, 34

James Wilson, 34

Benedict Arnold, 35

Samuel Chase, 35

Thomas Knowlton, 35

William Paca, 35

John Penn, 35

Hercules Mulligan, 36

Andrew Pickens, 36

Haym Solomon, 36

John Sullivan, 36

George Clymer, 37

Charles Cornwallis, 37

Thomas Nelson, Jr., 37

Ethan Allen, 38

Charles Carroll, 38

King George III, 38

Francis Hopkinson, 38

Carter Braxton, 39

George Clinton, 39

John Hancock, 39

Daniel Morgan, 39

Thomas Paine, 39

Patrick Henry, 40

Enoch Poor, 40

John Adams, 40

Daniel Boone, 41

William Floyd, 41

Button Gwinnett, 41

John Lamb, 41

Francis Lightfoot Lee, 41

Paul Revere, 41

Thomas Sumter, 41

Robert Morris, 42

Thomas McKean, 42

George Read, 42

John Dickinson, 43

John Glover, 43

Benjamin Edes, 43

Samuel Huntington, 44

Richard Henry Lee, 44

Charles Lee, 44

Francis Marion, 44

Lord North, 44

George Washington, 44

Joseph Galloway, 45

Robert Treat Paine, 45

Friedrich von Steuben, 45

Richard Stockton, 45

Martha Washington, 45

William Williams, 45

(Dr.) Thomas Young, 45

Josiah Bartlett, 46

Henry Clinton, 46

Joseph Hewes, 46

William Howe, 46

George Ross, 46

William Whipple, 46

Caesar Rodney, 47

John Stark, 47

Mercy Otis Warren, 47

William Ellery, 48

Horatio Gates, 48

Artemas Ward, 48

Oliver Wolcott, 49

Abraham Clark, 50

Benjamin Harrison, 50

Lewis Morris, 50

Lord Stirling, 50

George Wythe, 50

Guy Carleton, 51

John Morton, 51

Comte de Rochambeau, 51

Lyman Hall, 52

James Rivington, 52

Samuel Adams, 53

Comte de Grasse, 53

John Witherspoon, 53

John Burgoyne, 54

Johann de Kalb, 55

Roger Sherman, 55

Thomas Gage, 56

James Smith, 56

Israel Putnam, 58

Comte de Vergennes, 58

Lewis Nicola, 59

George Germain, 60

Philip Livingston, 60

George Taylor, 60

Matthew Thornton, 62

Francis Lewis, 63

John Hart, 65

Stephen Hopkins, 69

Benjamin Franklin, 70

Samuel Whittemore, 81

 

THE INFULENCERS WERE THE 1776 MILLENNIALS

We often envision the founding fathers as “those rich guys in white wigs,” because that’s what we saw in our history books.

What the photos do not accurately portray is how old these “rich guys in white wigs” actually were.

Most of the Founding Fathers were under the age of 40 on July 4, 1776, and would more rightly be considered ‘founding teenagers’ or young adults at the time they submitted the Declaration of Independence.

Among the most notable signers were James Monroe (18), John Marshall (20), Aaron Burr (20), Alexander Hamilton (21), and James Madison (25). Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the document, was only 33.

In comparison to this group of budding and patriotic leaders, today, only 9 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives are under the age of 35 and the youngest member of the senate is 40.

In 1780, when James Madison constructed the Constitution he was 29 and the youngest member of the Continental Congress; At 29, he would be the youngest Congressional member today.

As we celebrate these great men, it is important to remember not only the freedom they envisioned for our nation or the innovation they contributed to a system they saw needed fixing, but also for their young age and what we’d call today their “Millennial” status.

Like the founders, young people have historically been at the forefront of making change. Today, we see that Millennials are more collaborative, more innovative and more interested in making a social impact than past generations, as the 2014 Millennial Impact Report found 92% of Millennials chose careers they felt contributed in making a positive impact on the world.

Take our generation’s passion and multiply it by our size – 80 million strong today. By 2020, we’ll be just under 40% of the eligible voting population. Our generation is a vital asset to government politics.

To finding long-term solutions for future-focused policy issues. Leading this effort are Co-Chairs Congressmen Will Hurd (R-TX) and Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), alongside over twenty members from both major parties.

Fueled by motivation from the Founding Fathers, and two centuries of young change makers, MAP hopes to mobilize the next generation of leaders. We will continue to find new ways to put millennial voices and millennial leadership at the forefront of Congress, and we hope you’ll join us today.

 

Andrew Jackson, 19

(Major) Thomas Young, 12

Deborah Sampson, 15

James Armistead, 15

Sybil Ludington, 15

Joseph Plumb Martin, 15

Peter Salem, 16

Peggy Shippen, 16 (Benedict Arnold wife)

Marquis de Lafayette, 18

James Monroe, 18

Charles Pinckney, 18

Henry Lee III, 20

Gilbert Stuart, 20

John Trumbull, 20

Aaron Burr, 20

John Marshall, 20

Nathan Hale, 21

Banastre Tarleton, 21

Alexander Hamilton, 21

John Laurens, 21

Benjamin Tallmadge, 22

Robert Townsend, 22

George Rogers Clark, 23

David Humphreys, 23

Gouveneur Morris, 24

Betsy Ross, 24

William Washington, 24

James Madison, 25

Henry Knox, 25

John Andre, 26

Thomas Lynch, Jr., 26

Edward Rutledge, 26

Abraham Woodhull, 26

Isaiah Thomas, 27

George Walton, 27

John Paul Jones, 28

Bernardo de Galvez, 29

Thomas Heyward, Jr., 29

Robert R. Livingston, 29