Daily store of greens

 

 lettuce, corn salad

  

 turnips harvested today

  

 broccoli raab

  

kale

  

bok choy , celery , lettuce

  

 celery, beets

  

 spinach, chive

  

 Swiss chard

Supper in the garden

Is Genetically Modified Corn Toxic?

By Michael Reilly | Sat Jan 23, 2010 07:13 PM ET

In the United States, we grow and eat corn whose genes have been tweaked to make the plants more resistant to pests and pesticides. Most European countries don't, largely because the citizenry fears it isn't safe. But try as scientists might, they haven't been able to find any good reason why we shouldn't eat genetically modified (GM) food.
Until now. Maybe. A new analysis of data released by Monsanto pried from Monsanto's lawyers' cold dead hands by a tag-team of legal experts at Greenpeace and other groups suggests there may be something to the idea that we shouldn't be eating maize that's had its DNA messed with.
The study found that three strains of modded crops -- MON 810 and MON 863, which are resistant to pests, and NK 603, which is foritified to withstand weed killer -- significantly disrupted the blood chemistry of rats who ate them. According to an article in New Scientist:

With each of the three strains of maize, researchers say they found unusual concentrations of hormones and other compounds in the blood and urine of the tested rats, suggesting each strain impaired kidney and liver function. By the end of the trials, the female rats that were fed MON 863 had elevated blood-sugar levels and raised concentrations of fatty substances called triglycerides. Both are potential precursors of diabetes, according to [lead author Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of Caen in France].

...

"What we've shown is clearly not proof of toxicity, but signs of toxicity," says Seralini. "I'm sure there's no acute toxicity, but who's to say there are no chronic effects?"

The researchers are suggesting that if the GM corn has the same affect in humans that is does in rats, we're unknowingly taxing our kidneys and livers, and probably raising the risk of damaging those organs.
But as is often the case in these type of reports, the conclusions aren't terribly convincing. For one, the effects are barely statistically significant, and the article goes on to say that independent toxicologists who saw the paper said Seralini was reading too much into the results.
So we're left with ambiguity. Terrific.
There's just one thing I want to know: why do activist groups have to team up to force Monsanto to release tests showing whether or not GM food is toxic? Shouldn't food have to be demonstrably NON-poisonous before anyone is allow to start feeding it to people??
Source: New Scientist
Image: Texas A&M University

"Least-known Bird" Has Been Found

Researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have found the breeding area of the elusive large-billed reed warbler. That's a big deal, because according to BirdLife International, the species is the world's "least-known bird."

The distinction may sound ominous, but it's also impressive considering the amount of time that has gone between warbler sightings. After the first specimen was discovered in India in 1867, it took well over a hundred years to find the second -- another single bird found in Thailand in 2006.

Christmas eve in the garden

 The Oranges over the wall are ready

I met the new neighbor who cut down the old fig tree and who will also be taking down the orange and a lemon tree. Good news of it is she said I could harvest the fruit.

 

 Dash gathered some for Christmas dinner

 

 Remembering to feed the wild birds is an act of kindness.

The wild foods are now parking lots and stores.

So They come to visit me and eat all the bad guys out of the garden as a thank you to me.

 

 The broccoli raab is flowering and Dash gave it a try.

 

The face  actually changed after he ate it and he likes it.

 

Better than the store bought for sure.

He also discovered kale and loved it too.

 

A radish harvest to serve at Christmas dinner.

 

As I sat in the rocker and trimmed the greens the dogs beg the imperfects and the trimming of the greens are a delight to the hens.

 

 This they just love

 

 At last a product to use for the powdery mildew.

Now perfume soap.

 

 The zucchini is suffering it.

 

 Carrots are thiving in their underground cave.

 

 The freezes are being kept away as I blanket it all every nigh.

It is like having babies again.

These are hung on the line to dry when the rains soak them or the dew refuses to dry.

I had a fun visitor in my garden with me we had a wonderful time of friendship.

I love having friends over who enjoy time in the garden with me.

 

My family gave me a family of gnomes for Christmas

Too fun!

good news on Eddie and Denise

Christ mas
Miracles are a part of the greatest story ever lived

Dear Ones
A very exhausted over joyed Denise called to tell us all...
Some how :)
Eddie has full conscientiousness.
He is with us cognitively.
His legs yet effected but the seizures did not take him.

He was sitting before her talking to her.

She with all and deepest gratitude thanks each and every one of you for your prayers.
Pray for her heart.
Her sister was unkind, Denise is wounded by the ill treatment that she was shown.

She is however rejoicing as I have instructed her to let her spirit and mind rejoice and worship but to let her body rest and be still.
She has not slept for several days and has also been ill.
I will keep you updated as I am.
Thank you all
Donetta

c

Good Morning A Blessed Christmas
Eddie is alive this Morning your prayers were so embraced.

Update

I just received a call from Denise.
The torment of the last few hours has been excruciating for her.
She discribes the events as the worst thing that she has ever seen.

Her sister arrived last night, she is also a diabetic.
Denise ended up in the ER her blood sugar spiked  and she was vomiting .
As soon as she would ease the same thing began with her sister.
Eddie was in a room and she could not get to him for the ER would not let her.
She convienced them not to admit her and to just let her see her husband and that that would ease her distress.
Eddies blood pressure spiked I mean really spiked!
At one point she got released from the ER and got back to him.
He was awake, unable to walk without a walker.
Dragging his legs.
She saw he was sweating so she got a cloth.
As she turned he said that he felt he was going to vomit and just at the very moment he fell back into her arms and began to seize they called in a trauma team and resesitated him.
She was ask to leave the room to a waiting room where her sister then fell ill to high blood sugar levels and DENISE had to car for her.

I have told Denise to ask a nurse to tell her sister to leave.
Eddies people are coming, I told Denise to have the nurse talk with them and tell them that your strength is limited and to not ask her all the details.
I told Denise that each time she repeats it it is like being punched in the heart.

She has not been able to stay with Eddie, only allowed to go in ever few hours.
He has been sleeping she has not seen him conscious sense before the seizures.

I am tempted to take up a fund and see if we can fly me out there and rent a car to be with her.
Steve has off till the 4th. I would have child care. The funding is an issue. I am in Arizona.
Please continue to pray.
I read several of your comments to her a few moments ago and it really strengthened her spirit.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Donetta at A Life Uncommon

Urgent Prayer For Eddie (Love Bug)

Urgent Prayer For Eddie (Love Bug)

I am typing this for Denise of Shortybears Place she is on the phone with me now

Eddie has had a stroke and is in hospital under observation. They were unable to get the stroke medication in time. So far they have done a CAT scan and a MRI and other test are being awaiting . His leg is effected. He is able to speak. This is written at 9:30 p.m. TN time

He is in Memorial Hospital Chattanooga TN. She is alone so if any friends are able please consider coming to her side. He is being moved to room momentarily.


This is written by Donetta of A Life Uncommon and she can be reached through me.