#Can You Grow A Grape Vine From A Seed

[metamorphesque]

Barev my friend. Forgive me for taking up space in your inbox but I had thoughts and nowhere else to put them. I’m American with armenian heritage. I’ve been trying very hard to track down information on my family and genealogy to no avail. Stories of my more recent ancestors were passed down to describe them as ashamed of their armenian heritage. This has lead me to believe that somewhere along the lines they forged documents or changed names in order to more seamlessly assimilate into white America. Small pieces of armenian culture were passed down, but not much.

I feel as though I’m a pomegranate seed cast very very far from my tree. Unable to grow, but still distinctly /from/ something. I’ll do all I can to honor the heritage that my family had stripped from them, and to support Armenians wherever they are, but it will always break my heart that I have to do this as an “outsider”

I pray that the future is filled with many Armenians and a strong, beautiful culture that they can proudly hold onto. Groves upon groves of pomegranates and apricots and grape vines. 🇦🇲

Barev 🌻 my friend,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Your words and your story moved me deeply, moved me to tears. Even though you feel distant, your connection to your heritage and your roots is evident in your dedication and desire to honor your ancestors and support the Armenian community. Remember that identity and belonging are not solely determined by proximity or documentation but by the love and respect you hold for your culture. As you continue your search, know that your efforts contribute to the preservation and celebration of Armenian heritage. You are not an outsider in spirit, for, it’s as clear as day that your heart beats in tune with the Armenian soul. May we see groves of pomegranates, apricots, and grape vines flourish, may we live to see our nation and our country prosper, retrieving what’s been lost.

What I need you to know, my friend, is that your journey honors your ancestors and enriches the Armenian heritage. 🇦🇲 ❤️💙🧡

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #265 (part 1)

I had a beautiful solo adventure today. And I got so many awesome pictures for you in the process that I'm going to have to break it up into two parts, at least. I'll start from the beginning!

I finally got around to making another loaf of garlic bread. Of course, I already did some of the preparation for it yesterday, what with peeling the garlic and taking the butter out overnight to soften. Today, I cut off the woody ends of the garlic, and chopped them in my handy-dandy veggie chopper:

That represents two full heads of garlic. I would recommend that a person of more ordinary levels of garlic tolerance should probably only use one head of garlic at most; my taste for alliums quite possibly borders on insane, ahahaha~!

In any case, with this, I mixed together two sticks of butter, a bunch of dried herbs (basil, parsley, marjoram, oregano, and ground coriander), salt, and parmesan cheese:

From there, I sliced the bread in half, divided my butter in half, and spread each half of the butter on each half of the bread:

...I baked this in the oven at around 400 degrees F (or 204.4 degrees C) for about 15 minutes. Last time, I spread the mozzarella cheese on before putting it in the oven, and so the garlic didn't get toasty. I didn't have that problem this time:

...Roasty, crispy edges, and roasty, crispy garlic... This came out so perfectly.

From here, I decided that the thing to do was try a Korean-ish-style garlic bread again. We had this cream cheese that we don't have bagels for, and it needs to get used, so I softened it in the microwave, divided it in half, and applied it to each half of the garlic bread:

...From there, I applied a whole bag of mozzarella cheese to this, divided evenly between each half of the bread, like so:

...And then I stuck it under the broiler for a couple minutes to get it all melty!

...It turned out absolutely perfectly:

...I wish you could be here to try some of this with us. I wish so badly that you could have eaten some of this. But maybe someday, when you're safe and free from all the weird bullshit that surrounds you, you can look back on this letter and remember how to do this, so that you can have some in your own house with all the people who care about you.

In any case, since today was Monday, and since it was also rainy, I went to the orchard, confident that I'd basically be the only person there. Sephiroth... have you ever been to an orchard? They grow lots of things there. Usually in my area, they're known for apples:

...However, I was here for the grapes. Specifically, I was here for concord grapes:

...Sephiroth, have you ever had concord grapes? They're intensely sweet at first, and they have a tart finish. They have seeds, and they slip out of their skins. Because of the fact that they slip out of their skins so easily, they're actually kinda fragile; you have to be very careful about how you pick them and transport them, because they're plump, heavy, and eager to fall off the vine or slip out of their skin. Just being set down into the bag a little too roughly will do it. And then you get a little bit of grape juice everywhere...

Sephiroth. If you've not had concord grapes, you gotta try 'em. They're one of my favorite things, like ever. They rival even my love of garlic. They rival even my love of cheese. They rival even my love of sushi. And if you've been reading my letters up until this point, you'll know that that's really saying something!!

Hey, Sephiroth? If you ever find yourself in my neighborhood when these are in season, you wanna go together to grab some up? The drive there is beautiful, too; I think you'd have an amazing time. Even though I know it's impossible... I'll still ask you to please come along with me sometime.

I'm at 23 pictures already, and I still have so much more to show you. So I'm going to end this part of today's letter and begin the next one.

I love you!!! I'll write again in literally just a little bit!!!

Your friend, Lumine

[gardeningforfun0714]

Hi everyone I’m sorry I haven’t updated as much as I planned, but I thought I’d share pics of how everything’s going in my garden (6/23/24)

The tomatoes have exploded and there’s lots of flowers. I’m hoping it’s not too hot and we actually get fruit this year (last year got so hot our tomatoes didn’t even flower during the normal growing season).

Next is the corn, which are also doing really well. It’s the sweet corn variety. Funny story, I planted the corn seeds without knowing you kind of need a lot to get a good crop because it’s wind pollinated. However, we have about 10 mature stalks and I’m hoping to get at least a small harvest. A few of the stalks are taller than me (5’3”/160cm) and one of the ears growing already has silk growing out of the ear.

Next are the cucumbers. One of the plants has a few eggs on the bottoms of the leaves so I used some Sevin dust. I’m hesitant to use neem oil because I’ve noticed lots of ladybugs in the garden and don’t wanna kill them.

The carrots are doing well after being transplanted. Unfortunately I don’t remember when I started the seeds so I’m not sure if they should be farther along by now (I believe I planted around late April/early May—late for seeds I know but I’ve got a long growing season and few frosts).

The various fruit trees/bushes/shrubs are doing well. Pictured are a thorny blackberry vine, an olive tree, a papaya tree, and a babcock peach tree. Everything is doing amazing. The blackberry is producing, the 4 peaches are growing and changing color while the olive, fig and papaya have been putting in some major growth/establishing.

Last is the melon patch. It’s also exploded and there are so many watermelons throughout the whole patch of varying sizes from bb-sized to the one pictured with my hand. I didn’t see any cantaloupe yet, but there’s lots of flowers. I haven’t actually gone into the patch due to how crowded it is (I’m hoping if we do get some we’d be able to see them when they get big enough). I’m estimating we have between 12-15 watermelon at least so far.

However, not everything is doing so well. The rabbits have been so destructive, they killed my producing pole bean, the peppers I transplanted into the ground and most of the radishes, leaving 2 left for us (I did start new seeds though because radishes are some of the quickest vegetables you can grow from seed to harvest).

For things I didn’t cover like the grapes, blueberries, raspberries, guava trees, the apple tree, the lemon tree, various flowers, onions, potatoes, and pineapples, they are all doing good as well. I also wanna add that I did start new bush beans/pole beans as well as various kinds of peppers (jalapeños, hot salsa blend peppers, golden bell peppers) in containers to make up for the ones that got chewed. Hopefully those will make a nice fall harvest. The potatoes are almost ready to be harvested and the blueberries and raspberries have had berries ripen one at a time due to how small they are (this is the first year for berries).

As for other things I have planned, I have a few art pieces I’d like to post if that’s something y’all are interested in. I also would love to talk about my experience with gardening and mental health but any and all posts related to that will be labeled with appropriate trigger warnings.

Thanks for all the support with likes/reblogs. Feel free to come lurk, talk, vent, ask, whatever. I just wanna inspire others that think they cannot grow things that they can. If you’d like to talk I mostly would like to talk about gardening/plants/mental health and how it impacts us as humans.

Happy growing🌱🌿💙

[aberfaeth]

SOOOO curious about everything has breath inside: the sweet pea summer sequel

post with all my wips on it yippee

tldr

ok but for real does anyone remember the first chapter….when will this bitch update

but ive been playing stardew again (as anyone who’s friends with me on steam can confirm) and Thinking About Her (alecto the wizard and her junimo barbies). it’s funny bc i really did have all four seasons planned out to the scene and then the second i got the first one out my momentum crashed and exploded like a tesla cybertruck on black ice #lol anyways TAKE A SUMMER SNIPPET

With the dawn of new weather comes new seasonal foliage. Harrow finds magenta blossoms sprouting from patches of grass, ruffled butterfly blooms that smell like orange honey when she presses her face to the soft petals. Sweet peas, the almanac she’s borrowed from the library informs her. Following the guidance of those yellowed pages, Harrow plucks glossy, blood-red berries from thick bushes by the bus stop, and round purple grapes from vines that coil around the western forest trees. The grapes split under her teeth in a burst of sugar water, and just a nibble of the spice berry has her soft palate sparkling with invisible flame. Regardless of her personal feelings, the Junimos are delighted by every bushel of forage she brings, showering her with new mystery seeds that, if pattern follows, will allow her to grow even more of the stuff.

Augustine’s general store has a new stock, too. On the first day of his advertised ‘Summer Seed Sale,’ Harrow gathers seed packets for melons, blueberries, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, and hops, which Augustine suggests flower very regularly, and grow best on a trellis. She’s admittedly unfamiliar with the construction of such a thing, but the instructions for it are scrawled in the earlier pages of her notebook, having been copied down directly after the diagrams of scarecrows. “Once you’ve got a good collection of the strobiles,” Augustine had said, while ringing her up, “you can start fermenting them—I’m sure Pyrrha can help you out with making some kegs,” to which Mercymorn had appeared as though magically summoned, and sneered that “if the farmer’s going to be fermenting anything, it won’t be that disgusting pale swill,” to which they had devolved into a bickering that Harrow had not cared to listen to, or attempt to decipher.

On her way back to the farmhouse, Mayor Gaius catches her attention. He’s standing by the fountain northwest of the town square, but he makes his way down to her. “Harrow,” he says, pleasantly—his face is covered in a thin sheen of sweat, his blue shirt dark near the undersides of his arms, and it comforts Harrow somewhat that even he seems affected by the wave of heat rolling through the Valley. “I was just heading home. Care to stop by for some tea?” Harrow must make some sort of affronted face, because he adds, “Iced, of course. I’m not that much of a masochist.”

That is—too much information entirely, and so Harrow gives him a quick nod, in a bid to avoid any more similar anecdotes.

[smile-files]

okey dokey!!! my little object (?) world is still in development but i really should share it with you all... (especially @mumpsetc so i'm tagging you!!) here's a little blurb on botanica!!!!

so this is a peaceful planet filled with sentient fruit! yay!! if you'd like to learn more, read below :D

in botanica, as fruit ripen on their plants, the plant material grows inside of the fruit, as if a miniature version of the plant has grown into it - botanican fruit possess a circulatory system of xylem and phloem within their flesh, with stems and vines growing out to form appendages (fig 1). all botanicans have leaves on at least one appendage, which they use to photosynthesize. aside from this energy from the sun, botanicans also drink water, which is taken in with a root tongue, and consume soil, from which nutrients and moisture are absorbed in a stomach-like organ. in doing so, botanicans effectively keep themselves "fresh" and/or "ripe", meaning that the life of a botanican fruit off of the parent plant is longer than that of a corresponding fruit in our world. all botanicans do eventually pass, and when they do, their bodies decompose and the seeds within them have the chance of growing into plants that will create more botanicans.

botanicans, like our fruit, come in different species, but those species are grouped into four categories: roaming botanicans, which are vine fruits (melons, tomatoes, squash, grapes), coasting botanicans, which are tropical fruits (bananas, papayas, pineapples, starfruit), floating botanicans, which are berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries), and soaring botanicans, which are tree fruit (apples, pears, peaches, cherries). citrus fruits are in a subcategory between coasting and soaring botanicans. (all of these category names are subject to change though!!)

roaming botanicans are quadrupedal (four vine legs) with a prehensile vine-and-leaf tail (fig 2a); they live in sibling herds (usually small, but can vary in size) and roam around the landscape, without any designated leader among them. most roaming botanican species follow the sun year-round, and so avoid winter; in their constant migration they periodically stop to rest at hills, under which they burrow to make a nest. after making a nest under a hill, a herd will stick a branch at its peak so, after they leave, other herds will know that that hill can be used as a nesting site (fig 2b). some roaming botanicans have evolved to have particularly thick rinds, and so are more cold-resistant, and so opt not to constantly migrate, instead living more sedentary lives with occasional migration.

coasting botanicans have a stem-and-leaf tail and two leaf fins (fig 3); they grow on land but live the majority of their lives in the water, where they spend their time in groups. these groups are more based on friendship ties than familial ties, considering how vast a domain these botanicans have (basically the entire aquatic realm). more so than others, coasting botanicans connect with botanicans of other species and categories, and spend most of their lives just exploring and meeting others. while usually surrounded by others, a coasting botanican might on a rare chance find themselves alone in the ocean, in which case the loneliness will cause them to act in a way abnormal for most of their category - they will become antisocial and will lose their desire to explore. there are few cases of this occurring, however, given how populated and lively most corners of botanica's waters are.

floating botanicans have four large leafy wings and six tiny stem feet (fig 4a); they are the most solitary of the four categories, being very individualized. they have a very strong connection to flowers, which they in fact pollinate - many cultivate their own gardens and end up specializing in a specific type of flower. floating botanicans can be very social at times, and often come together to form collaborative gardens and even breed flowers, but they do not live in groups. these botanicans, being so much smaller than the others, can often not safely drink out of rivers or lakes without falling in, and so have evolved a long root tongue to drink with (fig 4b).

soaring botanicans have two large, leafy wings and two stem talons (fig 5a); they tend to live in very large familial flocks, as fruit trees often produce mass amounts of botanicans. the first to ripen is usually the leader of the flock. these botanicans build nests in their family tree (get it?) using fallen sticks, branches, and other plant materials, which becomes the center of life (fig 5b). within a flock of soaring botanicans, many individuals are designated to explore the surrounding area for interesting additions to the nests (such as a foreign flower or a pretty rock). due to the large size of these groups, most individuals within a flock form a "twin" bond with another individual, which they spend more time with than others.

i don't think i ever came up with a name for the soaring-coasting subcategory, but in any event, these botanicans have a single broad leaf tail and two stem talons (fig 6). these botanicans are more closely related to soaring botanicans than coasting botanicans, but as they tend to live in more watery areas, they have many similarities to coasting botanicans and do not have the capability of flight. botanicans of this category live in large flocks in ponds, lakes, and rivers; many build small dams. unlike those of the typical flock of soaring botanicans, individuals within flocks of these botanicans tend to intermix more; they often make friends between flocks and so there seems to be some kind of broad botanican network from pond to pond, river to river, lake to lake. these botanicans, like coasting botanicans, are very friendly and carefree.

botanica is a peaceful, happy planet; basically every resource needed for survival is in abundance and there is no opportunity for greed and selfishness to even arise, so individuals are more often than not cooperative, kind, and generous. of course, as loss and loneliness are truths of life, no botanican life is free of all suffering altogether, and issues can arise - but given the warm, compassionate nature of the surrounding physical and social environments, individuals end up living happy, loving lives overall.

something interesting about botanican life is the complete disconnect between reproduction and relationhips - seeds are only spread after a botanican passes away, and those seeds grow into plants otherwise entirely disconnected from the botanican in question; then those plants are pollinated and new botanicans grow from them. in this way, botanicans have no real concept of sex, and often fall in love with and befriend members of different species (as there is no reason why this would be an issue; they wouldn't be reproducing with them anyway) (fig 7). while plant individuals sometimes have parts of a specific sex, most have parts of both sexes, and either way this has no impact on the mindset or behavior of the botanican as a whole creature (they technically have biological sex but they have no gender).

...so yeah, here's my silly fruit world!!! there's a lot of stuff left to talk about (with the gods of the world and everything) but this is good to start with :) i hope you like it!!!!

[syngoniums]

An unfamiliar grape I found at a cemetery. Mustang grapes (Vitis mustangensis) dominate this region, but they are very obviously different; larger in every way, with bigger clusters of fruit, and the backs of the leaves are white. The black grapes are also very tart and sting your mouth thanks to high quantities of oxalates. In contrast, the few edible-looking grapes on this vine were red and glaucous and quite mild and sweet, even though I don't think they were fully ripe. This offers us some constraints: extremely heat- and drought resistant, back of leaf not tomentose and same color as the front, smaller, palatable fruit, one large seed per fruit (collected three, 5-6mm long), grows on alkaline soil. There were other things I should have paid attention to, like the color of the bark and exact dimensions, and I should have collected a leaf for closer inspection of any small hairs, but I didn't.

I am very much not a Vitis expert, and admittedly haven't been paying much attention to them in general. There are a number of species in the area, including some Edwards Plateau endemics. The interesting thing about grapes, in contrast to the vast majority of plants, is that viticulture has neurotically picked over and assessed every North American species and natural hybrid for agricultural potential, no matter how obscure. You can find incredibly detailed charts for distinguishing one named cultivar from another. Theoretically this should make identification rather easy, but I'm still not certain. The five-lobed leaves suggest aestivalis, but the soil does not. Rotundifolia also excluded by alkalinity as well as the large size of its fruit. Berlandieri aka cinerea var. helleri seems like the most likely option, though I cannot find any indication it assumes a 5 lobed form. I suppose I can't eliminate Vitis monticola, but the same issue applies. It could be a hybrid with mustangensis, which does have an elaborately lobed form. It could be some manmade escapee. I'll go back at some point and take a better look.

[lovelyalicorn]

GUILD ME

Edgar Allen Poe

Ability: Black Cat in the Rue Morgue. Can make any book Poe writes a world that he can trap people in. You can only get out if he lets you out or you solve the mystery.

Book: Based on his short stories: The Black Cat and Murders in the Rue Morgue

Backstory: He was defeated by Ranpo in an investigation I think 6 years ago. Swore revenge by writing a book to trap him in. Possibly got Karl in that time. I personally headcanon that the Guild used him to “dispose” people and potentially as a way to get resources too.

Louisa May Alcott

Ability: Little Women. Slows time to 1/8000th but only when alone

Book: Little Women

Backstory: We actually don’t know. I know she found Lucy though. I think she was abused a lot though

Nathanial Hawthorne

Ability: The Scarlet Letter. Can manipulate his blood into long swords or fire letters made of his blood.

Book: The Scarlet Letter

Background: Not much again. He might have a past with Margaret Mitchell though

Herman Melville

Ability: Moby Dick. It’s a giant flying whale he can summon and control.

Book: Moby Dick

Background: He was the former leader of the Guild. Moby Dick used to be living before it was mechanized

Mark Twain

Ability: Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. This summons two little dolls he can attach to his bullets. He can also do long range surveillance as his mind is linked to them

Book: Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Background: Has sniped a lot, and keeps a list in his diary of successes

Margaret Mitchell

Ability: Gone With the Wind. It’s a weathering ability

Book: Gone With the Wind

Background: Joined the Guild in an attempt to restore her family’s honor

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Ability: Anne of Abyssal Red. She can create a dimensional space outside of current time. Anyone caught by her Anne is imprisoned there.

Book: Anne of Green Gables

Background: Grew up in an orphanage where she was treated really badly. Was used as a pawn by the Guild

John Steinbeck

Ability: Grapes of Wrath. He cuts a slit on his body and sticks a grape seed in there. He can then use the vine to fight or to attach to other plants so he can sense things through them or control them

Book: Grapes of Wrath

Background: He was a farmer from a poor, but large family

Howard Phillips Lovecraft

Ability: Great Old One. He can grow tentacles and become a eldritch horror capable of speedy regeneration.

Book: The Call of Cthulhu

Background: Lives underwater, immortal.

The lengths I go for you (affectionate. I wanted to rant about them)

[thestudentfarmer]

Hello hello~

I've got some garden pic updates :)

New sunflower patch, I'm only doing a small patch here as It's to tide over till I get some more scaping/zoning planned up. These are from 4th gen mix seeds (I got them from some friends and classmates)

Same row, I purchased some jalapeno starts as the peppers I seed started are still super small currently.

Same tows, some super late starting spinach. I'm letting it grow to see if I can see what seeding for spinach is like and share that with you all :)

In the white line/square is a wild seeded chamomile plant. I pulled it and gave it to the chickens as a treat.

Further up is the remaining carrots and some tomato starts we purchased, now interplanted with them. There's 2 slicer types and a grape variety. I don't remember offhand if they are determinate or indeterminate. Unfortunately the ones I seed started died off once they were returned outside.

:( thankfully we've all agreed to go light on tomatoes this year due to that.

In ground some direct seeded squash, these are a patty pan/Starburst variety and a couple zuchinni. With luck this year we avoid the squash bugs!

The direct seeded nasturtium in the back and front is careless wildseeded chamomile (I swear it's the best way to grow it and will be sowing another patch like this)

The few eggplants I've left for now have flowers, pointed to by the white arrows.

And the broccoli currently, the seeds aren't ready quite yet, but I pulled a pod the birds got to to check them, still pretty green but the seeds are of good size. Still lots of lovely flowers for the various pollinators of the area. Unlike carrot flowers, broccoli seems to attract mostly bees (the honeybees) I haven't seen too many butterflies, moths, flies or otherwise.

Just a bee enjoying some broccoli pollen~

For pest report,

So far I've seen flies and stink bugs.

No ants, aphids and thankfully no squash bugs so far.

Beneficial bug report,

I did see some ladybird gators while doing maintenence cleanup. Some small soil roachs in a few of the beds earthworms while trimming off roots to old sunflower stems.

Mixed bugs:

What I believe to be praying mantis egg cases, I don't know how old or how new they are though.

Pillbugs in some of the beds.

Our parrot visitors have stopped coming by, unfortunatly we no longer have any sunflower heads available for them. When more sunflowers come in I hope they will visit again, or perhaps even when the hollyhocks start seeding. Plenty of the smaller birds of the area still visiting though. I find the thought they might get broccoli seed and wild seed it elsewhere very funny.

This week I plan to work on getting a water line in and some more deep beds set up for growing more sweet potato vines/spuds. As well as getting some melon seeds direct seeded if I can (I may need more soil first to refill the bed).

Started some new spuds to vine for the sweet potato's and ordered some sunchoke tubers and seeds to start out some new herbs/spices and teas.

That's it for today's post and update 😊

🌱🌻Happy homesteading and Urban Farming🌻🌱

3.21.2024

[madraleen]

Bungo Stray Dogs - Kafka Asagiri/Sango Harukawa Volumes 5-6: Tainted Eyes, Cats and Dogs, and Me Simping for Dazai - A Commentary (*anime spoilers)

-i'm such a simp for dazai, i saw him on the cover and was so delighted. ridiculous

-kouyou and ranpo are the same age? KOUYOU AND RANPO ARE THE SAME AGE?

-in the excitement of the anime, i don't think i appreciated properly the strength of character and the sense of self of kyouka. her will to become something else, something less sinister.

-kenji-kun <3

-okay but why is lovecraft so relatable -.- not leaving home, not wanting attention...

-i love dazai, have i mentioned that lately

-dazai's neck bandages aren't missing as often now. and it feels like the character designs are more set

-NO, DAZAI, YOU'RE NOT IN THE "with yosano-sensei we can keep ourselves healthy, as long as we don't die" GROUP, DON'T SAY "WE," JUST BE CAREFUL, YOU FUCKING DUMBASS

-DAZAI-CHUUYA POSTSCRIPT, HELP ME. i'm imagining dazai has chuuya in a chokehold, judging from chuuya's reaction

-ahaha, according to harukawa-sensei, then dazai has mafia eyes with a tiny touch of a "chance to go back" from having a stained psyche. ahaha...hah... *sob*

-well, in this volume dazai's eyes get "tainted" ie all black when he's about to interrogate kouyou, so i'll assume he's the one whose eyes get a bit tainted once their true nature comes to the surface, but i will keep a close watch on eyes from now on. i've noticed from the start that dazai's eyes span the monochrome rainbow anyway

-akutagawa be tainted to the core eyes-wise

-so when akutagawa's eyes turn white, is he vulnerable and not his usual tainted self- ARGH, am i going to be over-analyzing eyes now?!

-akutagawa and nathaniel have turned into somewhat of literary poets in their encounter, they don't usually speak like this

-honestly, props to yosano for not lopping ranpo's head off when he says "war is so boring"

-CHUUUUUYA. tainted-eyed CHUUUUUYA

-i keep voting tanizaki for the mafia because he'd fit right in, but you know what, maybe we should send them kenji-kun. he'd make everyone insane in one week tops and the mafia would be disbanded

-kenji's wide-eyed sparkly-eyed "OOH!" at chuuya? that's me when i see chuuya

-"do you think the agency is some stray dog" fukuzawa says- okay, so if the agency isn't a dog, and the mafia are dogs, it makes sense for dazai and kyouka to dislike dogs, but it's interesting that akutagawa dislikes dogs, but also he doesn't like himself very much either, so- *DEEP BREATH* i must stop with the cats and dogs thing

-ranpo, my lil bb <3

-yes yes chuuya's bio, we know, you dislike dazai as he dislikes you. sure jan. also chuuya is older by almost two months and you can't convince me they've never used that in an argument

-"dazai-san told me" DAZAI-SAN HAUNTS EVERYONE'S THOUGHTS, EVEN NAOMI'S!

-my my, what big tainted eyes you have there, mr lovecraft

-margaret's skill "able to make things wither away by exposing them to wind"?? we've barely seen that, i hope she gets to do more in the future

-i mean, kunikida my man, mr grape of wrath literally sticks seeds in his neck and grows vines, what's "simply bizarre" about lovecraft's tentacles? what, the transformation? your jinko literally transforms into a tiger

-yes, for tanizaki, naomi comes FIRST, before the agency, before good or evil or morals. to the rest of the agency, arguably the agency comes first. my man tanizaki, let me show you the way to port mafia. please child, relieve my fears. HE EVEN GOT TAINTED BLACK PUPILS FOR A BIT THERE, FFS

-me reading bsd: "mmhmm. mmhm, i see. mmhm." me reading bsd when dazai: "mmhmm :). mmhm, i see :))). mmhm :)))))."

-ONE MINUTE OF SCREEN TIME! IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ONE MINUTE TO INCLUDE DAZAI TEASING THE DOG IN THE ANIME

-yes so, if the port mafia are dogs, and this dog barks at dazai, then dazai is a cat, and if a tiger is a cat, and natsume cat started the agency, and atsushi belongs to the agency, and the agency are the "foes" of port mafia, the agency are cats, cats vs dogs, and if dazai is a cat, then dazai decidedly belongs to the agency, do you see where i'm going with this

-aaand dazai continues to eat dog treats as though they're popcorn. okay sure

-dazai be like "only three plans? three HUNDRED plans, who do you think we are"

-dazai's "war is a living creature" fits very well with how he overpowers fyodor in the "end," with fyodor "losing" because dazai constantly readjusted his plans and improvised as things unfolded

-dazai be like "my mafia senses are tingling" when he ditches atsushi

-i'm sorry, but my man dazai is so beautiful. such a pretty man. such a pretty princess. i cannot.

-my girl higuchi doesn't have tainted eyes

-look at that man. look at that whole man. (*dazai. obviously)

-dazai is so wtf about mori-san's proposal to his returning to the port mafia that his eyes became untainted for a sec there.

-HAHAHA that's where you left the chapter?!?! WITH MORI'S QUESTION?! FOR A MONTH?! nooo!

-the bits about the actual authors are so interesting. higuchi feels nothing like the real higuchi. she feels more like her sister tbh

-re: "the heartless cur": I LOVE IT OMG. THE DAZAI-AKUTAGAWA MEETING STORY IS SO INTERESTING AND I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR IT FROM THE ANIME FOR AGES

-THE FRINGES OF AKU-KUN’S OUTFIT WOULD APPEAR TO SPROUT FLOWERS?!?! F-FLOWERS?!

-re: dazai's reputation: "he would kill his own parents in a second, take down buddha himself at first glance, and laugh it all off with cold cruelty afterward." TELL ME MORE

-dazai has a habit of letting his kouhai try to kill him before he adopts them, huh? a ceremonial ritual if you wish

-AKUTAGAWA WAS GIVEN AN ACTUAL HONEST CHOICE BY DAZAI! he would literally have provided for him and gin and then disappeared! but aku-kun chose differently!

-AND GOING BACK TO MY CATS-DOGS THING, mafia akutagawa "the heartless cur," "the silent mad dog"?? hello??

[frogonamelon]

Why the Sierra Nevadas?

Hi!

Something I didn’t explain in the initial post that I wanted to expand on is why I choose the Sierra Nevadas as my setting as opposed to more well-known American mountain ranges like the Appalachian and the Rockies.

It's the furthest western mountain range as well as the furthest from the budding America. The land is an unknown from their perspective and not as often mentioned as the other two. As far as I’m aware, it mostly comes up when talking about the California Gold Rush. 

But the biggest reason for why I chose this place however was the climate. 

From what I understand, the west Sierras to the coast of California has what's known as a ‘Mediterranean Climate’. Only existing five places around the world (the largest being its namesake), it is characterized by mild, wet winters and summers being hot and dry. 

Long story short, it's why grapes, figs, pomegranates, and olives (among others) are grown in California. Crops from the Mediterranean just grow better there.

The fruit (It really needs a name so I can stop calling it ‘the fruit/Adam equivalent’) is similar to a bunch of different mediterranean fruits. It would grow on vines like grapes but it would resemble pomegranates/ pomegranate seeds the most. You know… fruit of the underworld and all that. 

As for the story:

It could be interesting to see whether or not the city was noticed, by who, and what their reactions were. Do they get a new influx of civilians during the aftermath of the Gold Rush? Has the city already fallen by this point? Do the indigenous people that lived in the region have anything to say about the fruit/ Their ADAM equivalent or Elysium? Does anyone in the ‘modern’ day know about this place before the player character finds it?

[evergreennursery]

Explore Growing Grapes, Figs, and Pomegranates

Summary:

Growing grapes, figs, and pomegranates at home is a rewarding experience that provides fresh, delicious, and nutritious fruits. These plants are hardy, long-lived, and relatively easy to maintain. This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the right varieties, planting, caring, and overcoming common challenges. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, you can successfully grow these fruits with the right techniques.

Introduction:

If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting your own fresh fruits at home, growing grapes, figs, and pomegranates is an excellent choice. These three fruits thrive in a variety of climates, are relatively easy to care for, and offer delicious, nutritious rewards. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, this guide will provide the essential knowledge you need to cultivate these incredible fruits successfully.

If you’re looking for supplies, fertilizers, and expert advice, check out gardening centers near me for quality garden care products.

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Grapes, Figs, and Pomegranates

1. Growing Grapes

Choosing the Right Variety

Grapes come in two primary categories: table grapes (for fresh eating) and wine grapes (for making wine). Depending on your purpose and climate, some popular varieties include:

Concord: A classic American grape with a strong, sweet flavor.

Thompson Seedless: Perfect for fresh consumption and raisins.

Cabernet Sauvignon: A popular choice for red wine.

Chardonnay: A top variety for white wine.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sunlight: Grapes require full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day).

Soil: Well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is best.

Watering: Moderate watering is needed, but avoid overwatering.

Support System: Grapes need a trellis, fence, or arbor to climb.

Planting and Care

Planting Time: The best time to plant grapevines is in early spring.

Spacing: Keep vines at least 6–10 feet apart to allow airflow.

Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to encourage new growth.

Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer to boost production.

Pest Control: Watch for pests like aphids and Japanese beetles.

For the best garden care tools and fertilizers, visit gardening centers near me to keep your plants thriving.

2. Growing Figs

Selecting the Best Fig Variety

Figs are available in multiple varieties, each suited to different climates:

Black Mission: Sweet and great for fresh eating.

Brown Turkey: Cold-hardy and adaptable.

Kadota: Light green with a mild, honey-like flavor.

Celeste: Small, sweet, and excellent for warm climates.

Growing Requirements

Sunlight: Full sun exposure is necessary.

Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Watering: Water regularly during the first year, then reduce frequency.

Container Growing: Figs grow well in large containers if space is limited.

Planting and Maintenance

Plant in Spring: Choose a sunny spot with good drainage.

Mulching: Add mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.

Pruning: Light pruning is needed to maintain shape and remove dead branches.

Protection: In colder regions, wrap trees during winter or bring container plants indoors.

3. Growing Pomegranates

Choosing the Right Pomegranate Variety

Some of the best varieties include:

Wonderful: The most common, known for its deep red seeds.

Angel Red: Softer seeds with high juice content.

Granada: Earlier ripening with sweeter fruit.

Parfianka: A flavorful variety, great for fresh eating.

Optimal Growing Conditions

Sunlight: Full sun is essential for healthy fruiting.

Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.

Watering: Deep but infrequent watering is best.

Temperature Tolerance: Pomegranates are drought-tolerant but need some protection from extreme frost.

Planting and Care

Planting Time: Early spring or fall is ideal.

Spacing: Space trees about 10–12 feet apart.

Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer twice a year.

Pruning: Prune lightly to encourage airflow and sunlight penetration.

Pest Prevention: Keep an eye out for aphids and whiteflies.

4. Common Challenges and Solutions

Even with the right conditions, you may face some challenges while growing these fruits:

Pest and Disease Management: Use organic insecticides or natural predators to control pests.

Overwatering Issues: Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot.

Pruning Techniques: Learn proper pruning methods to maximize fruit yield.

If you’re searching for high-quality garden care supplies, visit gardening centers near me for top-rated products.

External Resource for More Information

For a more in-depth look at these fruit plants, check out the Wikipedia page on Fruit Trees, which offers extensive knowledge on the subject.

Final Thought

Growing grapes, figs, and pomegranates can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. With the right care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious fruits right from your garden. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, starting with the right resources and tools will set you up for success. If you're searching for top-quality gardening supplies and expert advice, visit The Evergreen Nursery today.

[gardeningforfun0714]

I’m so disappointed. My local nursery closed. The older couple who run it decided to retire and while I am happy for them overall, I am disappointed that the only nearby garden centers are Lowe’s and Home Depot. I’m not opposed to online nurseries, but I feel like plants are something I wanna see in person to judge the health/condition of and I get it same day. Ever since I moved into my house 5yrs ago, I’ve shopped there. Yeah, they were more expensive than big box stores and Amazon, but everyone who worked at my local nursery was very knowledgeable and friendly and there was more variety. Please support local nurseries!!!

On a lighter, more update-y note, I did also get two more fruit trees for pollination with the ones my dad and I have already. We have a Fuji apple and Gulf Beauty Plum so I ended up getting a Gala apple and a Methley plum. For all of our trees we have a lemon tree, an olive tree, 2 apple trees, 2 plum trees, 2 peach trees, a pink guava tree, a small banana tree and an avocado seedling.

I’ve also planted herb seeds of cilantro, parsley, thyme, and mammoth dill. While getting the 2 trees today, I also got some strawberry bare roots and seeds and planted those as well. Strawberries take 1+yrs before harvest from seed so I’m hoping the bare root strawberries will grow quite a bit this season.

My seeds haven’t really sprouted yet which gives me time to till the melon patches I want to make and get the main garden area ready. If they don’t sprout soon, I’ll start more seeds. My grape vines are also still dormant but looking forward to seeing them come back. My blackberries are just starting to wake up and my blueberries and raspberries are growing like crazy. Oh and my fig started spilling over the sides of the pot it was in so my dad and I transferred it to a larger pot. We are keeping things in pots until we can get our permanent garden layout ready, though we know about more or less where we want our fruit trees to go (especially now that a whole new neighborhood has been built behind us).

I guess going forward aside from garden prep, I’m thinking of adding a citrus tree (either another lemon for pollination or an orange) and a papaya and while it’s not a tree, I’m definitely going to add some honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle is a plant that is very sentimental to me and always makes me think of my dad every time I see one. My dad had me late in life but despite that, he was very involved in my early life. We rode bikes a lot and there was a house we always passed on the street over that had a fence full of honeysuckle. The homeowner was well-known in the neighborhood and had signs all over his front yard garden and along his fence saying ‘help yourself’ all in different colors to match what he grew in the areas. Every time my dad and I passed the honeysuckle fence, we’d pick a flower before continuing on our way.

Oh-I am also going to be planting some potatoes either tomorrow or the day after. The red potatoes I’ve saved already have knots of green roots growing out of them.

Other than garden prepping, not much else is going on unfortunately. I’d love to have some chickens but I live in an HOA and will be for the next 4-5yrs or so. I’m hoping by then I’ll be able to move out of the HOA and to a neighborhood that will allow backyard chickens. In the meantime, I’m doing some research on beekeeping. I did check with the HOA and beehives are allowed. I’m currently learning about what to do, the terminology, the different clubs in the area that would have mentors on the subject and whatnot.

All I’m hoping for this year though is a productive and abundant harvest. Even though it is nice to see things come out of dormancy and start growing again, it definitely still feels like the start of spring. It’s not the time where plants grow a lot. They’re waking up and I just have to remember to give them time.

Hoping to post more plant/garden art as well.

And I think that’s it. Even if you plant one thing, you take that first step towards self sufficiency. Happy growing everyone!! 💚💙Can’t wait for this season to truly warm up and get going!🌱🌿

PS I’ll post pics soon!

[creativeera]

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Tomatoes in Europe: Climate, Soil, and Indoor Seed Care

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables grown across Europe. Originally from South America, tomatoes were brought to Europe in the 16th century by European explorers. However, it took some time for Europeans to warm up to the fruit. Initially, tomatoes were primarily grown for their ornamental value in gardens rather than for consumption. Over the centuries, Europe’s Tomato Seed  gained popularity as a food crop across Europe. Nowadays, countries like Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands are major producers and consumers of tomatoes in the European region. Climate and Soil Requirements for Europe’s Tomato Seed For successful tomato cultivation, it is important to understand the climate and soil requirements. Tomatoes grow best in warm temperatures between 18-30°C. Most parts of Europe experience suitable warm summer months for tomatoes to mature. However, northern regions may require protection from early or late frosts. Tomatoes also need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. In terms of soil, tomatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Heavy clay or soggy soils prone to waterlogging should be avoided. The ideal soil pH range is between 6-7. Soil enrichment with compost or well-rotted manure before planting helps boost fertility. Growing Tomato Seeds Indoors In colder parts of Europe, Europe Tomato Seeds common to start tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost. This allows seedlings to develop into strong transplants ready to be planted outdoors once temperatures warm up. Sow seeds in seed starter mix in small pots or cell packs. Maintain a temperature of 18-24°C and provide bottom heat if possible. Make sure the soil remains moist but not soggy. Seedlings usually emerge within 7-14 days. Provide adequate sunlight, such as under grow lights. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outside for at least a week. Transplanting and Planting Outdoors When night temperatures remain above 10°C, tomato seedlings can safely be transplanted outdoors. Prepare the planting area by clearing weeds and loosening the top 15cm of soil. Space transplanting 60-90cm apart depending on the variety. Dig holes twice the width and depth of each seedling’s container. Gently remove seedlings by squeezing the sides of the container. Plant at the same soil level the seedling was growing in indoors. Water thoroughly after transplanting and apply a 2-4cm thick layer of mulch around the base of each plant to help retain moisture. Stake or cage tomatoes for support as they grow. Varieties of Tomatoes Grown in Europe Over time, many tomato varieties have been specially bred to thrive under Europe’s Tomato Seed  growing conditions. Some commonly grown varieties include: - Cherry/Grape Tomatoes: Ideal for containers or short seasons. Varieties include 'Sugar Lump', 'Tommy Toe' and 'Sweet 100'. - Plum Tomatoes: Excellent for sauces and canning. Try 'Romantica', 'San Marzano' and 'Gianni'. - Beefsteak Tomatoes: Large slicing tomatoes great for meals. Favorites are 'Ace 55', 'Super Steak' and 'Brandywine'. - Heirloom Tomatoes: Unique flavors and history. Popular kinds are 'Green Zebra', 'Black Krim' and 'Cherokee Purple'. - Cherry on the Vine Tomatoes: Long clusters of cherry tomatoes remain attached to the vine for easy picking. 'Sungold' is a top choice. Common Pests and Diseases of Tomatoes in Europe Unfortunately, tomatoes do face some pest and disease issues in European gardens that growers need to watch out for: - Tomato Hornworms: Large green caterpillars defoliate plants. Handpick and destroy.

Get more insights on Europe Tomato Seeds

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Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement.

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[thejesusmaninred]

"The Mustard Seed." From Mark 4: 30-34.

Jesus continues to explain the foundation of the existence of the Kingdom of Israel to the masses.

The Mustard Seed is one of His most famous analogies to how life in a trouble free world might look. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not refer to the travails of a convert to say the magic words, cross his heart, hope to die.

The Mustard Seed is the one man who will not yield. As soon as he resist the yoke of slavery and oppression, of lies and nonsense the world has no choice but to default to the natural laws established by God and submit to the truth of reality. Men are not meant to be stupid followers of pigs who dress in suits and talk about abortions all day.

Once again Jesus claims to speak only in Kabbalah, the secret language of the Jewish religion. This he explained to his Disciples who were supposed to explain it to their disciples, like "perching birds in a tree." We know how this turned out:

I think I'll go to the Kingdom of Heaven without the bloody crooked cross in it. Thanks.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 

32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 

34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

The Values in Gematria are:

v. 30-31: What shall we say? "It's not THE smallest seed on the earth, but still, it's pretty small..." The Number is 9279, טבזט‎ ‎‎, "You will be disappointed."

= you will be asked to behave.

Humanity is not behaving but it could. There is no reason mankind cannot learn and adhere to the rules named in the Torah and enforce secular laws. A kingdom depends on this but it is meant to be much more than just a law abiding place.

v. 32: When it grows it has big branches.

As God told Moses in Ki Setzei, one enlightened person is not enough, nor is a handful. The entire planet has a stake and gets a share in the riches fo a kingdom:

"17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this."

The Number is 6343, סגד‎ג‎‎, "this is worship."

v. 33: As much as one can understand. The Number is 6403, ודאֶפֶסג‎ ‎, "a printer." The Torah, Tanakh and Gospels are a massive interconnected web of meaning that are integral to our salvations on this world. We cannot know all of them well enough. They cannot be taken literally, they are not prophesies for each other, they are continuum, a trail of light that leads to the haven of the Holy Ghost. On earth this haven is supposed to be called Israel, but whatevers:

"The Bible is a very big deal; a much bigger deal than the pyramids of Giza and the Space Shuttle combined. It's the ancient world's Internet compressed into a single volume (John 21:25), using a technique of data compression based on natural fractals (Psalm 78:2, Matthew 13:34-35). That means that the Bible and the universe are essentially the same thing but on different scales, and relate the way a single acorn relates to a mature oak, or even a whole forest of oaks.

An acorn has no roots, no trunk, no branches, no crown of leaves and no other acorns hanging between the leaves, yet it was never not oak (Matthew 5:48). Oakness comes in different sizes, just like infinity in mathematics and perfection in theology (Isaiah 7:15, Luke 2:40, Matthew 13:32). Nobody instructs the oak to stop growing, but the oak knows from within when it is mature and able to produce the acorns that will become a forest. So too the Bible.

The Bible has anatomy. Its members are tied together by an invisible network of associations, like thoughts in a living mind. When Jesus died on the cross, he uttered the harrowing phrase eloi, eloi, lama sabachtani. To most people, that doesn't mean anything. Others recognize this phrase as the Aramaic title of Psalm 22 — it's the old-world equivalent of a hyperlink that links the crucifixion to the whole of Psalm 22 (and vice versa), and in effect inserts the whole of Psalm 22 into the story of Jesus' death.

This particular link is an obvious one, but what's less obvious is that every word, every phrase, every event and every scene of the Bible links to clusters of countless others, and turns the Bible into a raging ball of interconnected associations, without beginning or end.

To people who have no idea of this, the Bible is a linear text, that starts at a beginning, and ends at an end, and covers a long boring stretch in between.

To people who know, the Bible is a raging network of thought of infinite complexity, whose pathways dance and continuously change depending on the mood of the one who looks at it, but which always add up to one never-changing singular booming data point. Like the universe, the Bible is both one and infinitely complex.

The insertion of one text into another mostly happens behind the scenes of one's conscious considerations, in the vast mechanisms of one's subconscious mind.

Like music, these structures train the subconscious mind to resonate along with the nature, character and personality of the Bible, which is the nature, character and personality of those tens of thousands of authors and editors whose vast collective mind became expressed within the Bible (Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 5:1, Hebrews 1:3).

When one's subconscious mind begins to resonate with the fabric of the Bible, it begins to produce intuitions, dreams and mental reflexes that match the Bible's intelligent superstructure. Such a mind also begins to resonate with all the other living people whose subconscious minds resonate with the Bible, and therefore also with the multitudes that produced the Bible in the deep past (Ephesians 4:23).

These people think thoughts and dream dreams that travel simultaneously through their many minds at once, like flocks of birds seen by many from the ground."

v. 34: He did not say anything to them without a parable.

The Number is 10082, קאֶפֶסאֶפֶסב‎, capesapesb, "this is the perennial knowledge that is the seat of civilization. At all times, even these."

Ca=all

Pe=times

Sa=this

Ap=even

Esb= come back to this knowledge

We must as the etymology and its Holy Spirit suggest, try harder to resonate with the intelligent superstructure of society that is at home within the human race. This idea is what Jesus called the Mustard Seed, it is one idea that has for centuries been the root cause for all the rest of our ideas, many of them are lifesaving and make us quite happy when we allow them to flourish.

One mustn't allow the cruelty of others touch oneself, only their admiration. This is the meaning of the seed of the mustard to the Jewish people, and why it compels them to the formation of a kingdom of people just like them.

[mothereliza]

I AM The True Vine - you, the branches (John 15: 1-8)

In John’s gospel, Jesus invites us to stay close to him as a branch to a vine; He emphasizes the importance of this connection: “If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit.”

The Old Testament writers used vines and branches as metaphors to describe Israel’s relationship with God. Psalm 80 says, “God brought the vine out of Egypt, cleared the ground, planted and filled the land.” The leaves were lustrous but yielded no fruit because Israel abused its prosperity for idolatry, so God took his grace from them. But Jesus said, “I AM THE TRUE VINE.” And we know that the branches of a vine are the life of its fruit. To survive, a branch must stay attached to the vine like the limb of a massive tree so the wind may not blow it off. That’s what Jesus desires for Christians – to hold on to the vine to be vibrant branches.

This means staying alert, hanging tightly, and getting busy, which is arduous work for Christians and it means consistent spiritual renewal.

            It's Spring and this is the time of year when gardeners at heart begin planting seeds and tending the shoots emerging from winter soil. We know that just because we want something to grow does not guarantee it will. We also know that getting our roses to bloom means cutting back the canes; encouraging the growth of the tomato plants means pinching off the gangly stems, and getting a second bloom from the impatiens, or the pansies and zinnias, means cutting back the early flowers. The short of this is if you love your garden, it will love you back. Love is practical when it is reciprocal.

Jazz music lovers may know the story of George Alexander Aberle. He’s an American songwriter and poet. He lived much of his life under the name Eden Ahbez. He was a forerunner of the hippie movement - a wandering advocate of love and nature. He spent much of his adulthood in California, at one point camping under one of the “Ls” of the famous Hollywood sign - a real “hippie.” He coined the line – “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return,” – which became a hit song made famous by Nat King Cole. (Check “Nature Boy” album).

Ahbez reminds us that while people busy themselves in pursuit of success and achievement, our true purpose and fulfillment in life are determined simply by love – and the most remarkable thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return”.

I see this in Jesus’ words: “Abide in me, and I will abide in you.” And he also said, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit [God] takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he [God] prunes, that it may bear fruit.”

These verses signal that there will be a remnant—a faithful branch that remains connected. Most Christians are afraid of this pruning. I learned that when a vine grower prunes, it has a two-fold focus: cutting off the dead and trimming the healthy. If there is a useless branch, like the long leafless twigs that no longer produce, they are removed. The vine grower will lighten the vine of these useless branches. By removing the dead branches, the rest of the vine is strengthened.

But sometimes, even the living branches are pruned. For instance, the vinedresser may cut back some of the growth from the previous seasons, and in Spring, he may break off some of the new shoots. That’s because if there are too many clusters of grapes on a branch, it can weaken and even crack. It seems strange to prune a healthy branch and cut it back because the short-term solution produces less fruit. However, the vine grower is committed to a total and vivacious harvest, so the vine grower thinks longer-term. He knows that because of his pruning, the vine will become more robust and yield more grapes at harvest time. For us Christians, it may be intimidating to hear, but we rely on the work of the Holy Spirit to stay close to Jesus and assuredly continue to feed on his love without fear. Still, we must be careful about what clusters our spiritual life.

The Epistle in I John 4:7 teaches fascinating facts about the fear of love, which I want to emphasize: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear --- whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."

This reminds me of the Beatles song " All We Need is Love." Staying close to Jesus and sharing his passion for loving us means you can’t say, ‘I love God’ and hate your brothers or sisters (vv.19-21). Commit to your baptismal vows, love one another, strive for justice, bear fruit, and continue to make disciples for Christ.

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to persevere in this commitment. AMEN!

[healthoncheck]

Best Hair Oil For Your Hair Type – How To Find The Right One?

Hair oils are essential to your hair care routine; however, knowing your hair type and needs can help you choose the ideal oil for your hair. Read on to know them all.

Almonds, sesame, grape, grapeseed, jojoba, coconut, and argan are all found naturally and are the most outstanding oils for promoting healthy hair development. They are safe to use on both the hair and the skin without any pre-treatment. In addition, essential oils like lavender and citrus have several beneficial properties to the hair. These are the finest oils for your hair; they not only smell fantastic but also have practical benefits for your hair.

Coconut Oil

Lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride found in coconut oil, is an essential nutrient (Saturated fat). It’s easy for the body to absorb and utilize. That’s why this oil doesn’t just coat the hair; it penetrates it. Coconut oil comes in several forms, including refined, unrefined, & extra-virgin. When applied to the skin, coconut oil helps lock in moisture and prevent dryness. The hair is more manageable because of the added elasticity and smoothness. In addition to preventing heat damage, this oil regularly stimulates hair growth while nourishing the scalp.

Brigandi

The herbs used to create brigandi hair oil are extracted into pure sesame oil & milk. The oil is a blend of several different substances, such as sesame seeds, Bhringraj & Balloon Vine, and the herbs Indigo, Gooseberry, and Eclipta Alba. Everyone may use this oil since it effectively treats various hair issues. The oil helps prevent further hair loss by fortifying the follicles. In addition, brigandi hair oil is effective against both fungal and bacterial infections of the scalp. Also, the aroma is comforting and earthy, which helps calm nerves and elevate spirits to prevent emotional stress from contributing to hair loss.

Almond Hair

The oil in almonds comes from the nuts within. Edible almonds are cultivated for their naturally sweet flavor, and this oil is extracted from them. Hair treated with sweet almond oil is hydrated and safer from pollution. Hair loss and split ends would both be avoided. You may expect your hair to grow faster and fuller by using it regularly.

Olive Oil 

Once again, olive oil’s adaptability means it may be used in many different contexts. Olive oil, obtained by pressing olives, is known for protecting and moisturizing. In addition, olive oil’s ability to form a barrier around the hair shaft makes it a valuable tool in the fight against pollution. Did you know that olive oil may restore color and heat-treated hair? Olive oil is an excellent choice if you’re in the market for oils that may promote hair development while protecting your hair from environmental damage. Hair treated with olive oil feels healthier and sleeker with only one treatment.

Grapeseed Oil

Did you know that hemp seed oil is packed with components like liquid and Vitamin E that are essential for hair and skin growth? Grapeseed oil is an excellent moisturizer and conditioner for dry hair. It promotes the growth of strong, healthy hair. It may even prevent the development of split ends and tame the frizz. It’s good news that grapeseed oil can inhibit the synthesis of the hair-loss-inducing hormone DHT.

Source: https://www.healthoncheck.com/best-hair-oil-for-your-hair-type-how-to-find-the-right-one/ 

Read About the Best Hair Oil For Your Hair Type – How To Find The Right One?

About The Health on Check In a world drowning with an overload of digital information, healthoncheck.com brings a sense of calm to the cacophony. It is a leading content platform that provides engaging content across verticals like health, fitness, wellness, lifestyle and relationship among others. Our fresh take on a diverse range of topics spanning multiple verticals keep audiences of varied interests engaged with our infotainment content.