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US Fish and Wildlife Service Issues Warning To Protect Hummingbird Nests

March 10, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

Tiny, elusive hummingbirds are some of nature’s most marvelous gifts, and it’s a wonderful surprise to find them in your yard. Now, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is stepping up to protect these precious birds.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Kelly Campbell

PREPARE FOR SPRING SURPRISES

Workers at the service issued a reminder to be careful when you’re cleaning, pruning or mowing to get your garden ready for spring. Hummingbirds can build nests in the most unexpected places including hanging feeders, plant pots and the forked branches of trees and shrubs.

Hummingbirds build detailed, intricate homes that they decorate with lichens and moss. They build them in the early spring when the weather starts to turn warm.

TINY EGGS AND NESTS

In most cases, you’ll see them after March. If you live in a warm, sunny region, you might be lucky enough to see hummingbirds all year. In cold, northern climates, you might have to wait until the end of May.

Their nests and eggs are so tiny they’d be easy to miss if you didn’t know their location. As a picture from the government agency shows, a hummingbird’s nest is about the size of a fingernail and the eggs are the size and shape of jelly beans.

To keep these potential visitors safe, move slowly when you’re pruning or cutting shrubs and trees.

HELP HUMMINGBIRDS FEEL AT HOME

If you want to go further and attract these colorful, buzzing birds to your yard, follow these pointers:

Set out sugar feeders.
Plant brightly colored flowers.
Install a water feature with moving or bubbling water.
Leave spiderwebs alone because hummingbirds use spider silk to build their nests.
Plant native grasses and plants because hummingbirds prefer them for shelter and building materials.

ENJOY LASTING BEAUTY

Like all birds, hummingbirds are threatened by habitat loss. You can help them by creating a yard that’s welcoming and safe. Hummingbirds return to their same nests every year, so you’ll enjoy their visits for years to come.

Couple Recreates Iconic Woodstock Photo 50 Years Later

March 10, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

It took 50 years for Jerry and Judy Griffin to find a photograph of their first meeting. That’s especially astonishing when you consider that they met during the 1969 Woodstock Festival, one of the most photographed events of the 1960s.

Couple Recreates Iconic Woodstock Photo 50 Years Later

Photo: Screenshot from American Experience | PBS, Footage Courtesy of Warner Brothers Entertainment

GOING TO THE FARM

On August 15, 1969, Judy was one on her way to the dairy farm where Woodstock was taking place. When her car broke down, she and her friends accepted a ride from a group of guys that included Jerry.

Both were 22 years old.

PEACE, LOVE AND ROMANCE

It was a festival of love, and they fell in love that day. Even more astonishing, they are still happily married today.

Judy and Jerry Griffin now, at their home in Manhattan Beach | Ben Trivett

As Judy says, “By the time we got out of the car and set up camp, we were into each other, and we basically were together from that point on.”

Since then, friends and family members have asked to see photographs of the couple at Woodstock, but despite years of searching, they could never find any. One day, they attended a screening of the 2019 PBS documentary Woodstock and were astonished to finally see themselves in a brief film clip.

A LOVE THAT LASTED

You can see them in the first few minutes of the trailer for the PBS documentary. They’re the smiling young couple wrapped in a blanket together.

Jerry told a local news station that he yelled, “That’s us!” when he saw the clip. Now, they finally have a photograph showing the first moments of a lifelong love.

Brain Teaser: 1 Rabbit Saw 6 Elephants While Going To The River

March 9, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 16 Comments

This brain teaser is a fun battle between English and math. It isn’t like a normal word problem from math class, however. This one is meant to bend your brain and make you think.

It’s easy to get the answer wrong even if you’re paying close attention when you read the riddle.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CORRECT SOLUTION?

The answer to the riddle is five.

Did you get it right?

If you got it wrong, keep reading, and we’ll explain how we got an answer of five.

LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

Here’s the riddle again:

“One rabbit saw six elephants while going to the river. Every elephant saw two monkeys going toward the river. Every monkey holds one parrot in its hands.”

So, how many animals are going toward the river?

Upon first reading, most people think that the answer is 25.

This makes sense if you are reading the riddle quickly. However, there is a tricky bit of wording that you have to pay attention to.

In the next section, we will explain the trick so that you can see how we got the right answer.

IT’S ALL IN HOW YOU SAY IT

The key to this riddle is this sentence: “Every elephant saw two monkeys going toward the river.”

At first glance, you probably thought that it meant six elephants each saw two monkeys, which would give you 12 monkeys and 12 parrots, since each monkey was carrying one parrot.

However, the correct way to read that line is that every elephant saw the same two monkeys heading toward the river.

This means that only these animals are going toward the river:

– One rabbit
– Two monkeys
– Two parrots

Some people might argue that parrots are technically birds and not animals, so if your first answer was 3, that would also be correct.

What do you think? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Raised Garden Beds Keep The Critters Away And Reduce Back Strain

March 9, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 3 Comments

Planting means preparing a patch of ground, fertilizing it and then planting seeds or plants, right? Yes, some people are still planting in gardening beds, and while those are still my favorite, I admit I’ve come to appreciate really nice, lofty, raised garden beds. Here’s why.

You’re In for a Gardening Treat

If you’ve never used raised garden beds before, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised. They have so many advantages over ground planting:

It’s a lot easier on your back and knees.
You can constantly improve the soil conditions to achieve perfect growing soil in your beds.
Your plants get some protection from critters and insects.
They give your garden a wonderfully neat, organized look.
There are fewer weeds in a raised bed.
Roots can grow deep into the soil to produce strong, healthy plants.

Does it sound good? Here’s how you can get started with raised beds.

Easy on Your Knees, Back and Feet

As you can see, it’s easy to walk around the raised beds to weed, water, harvest and just enjoy your growing plants. You don’t have to worry about bending, kneeling or walking through muddy planting beds.

Raised beds work for flowers, vegetables, fruits, shrubs and small trees.

Try a Combination of Garden Types

Ideally, you should have a combination of ground plantings, raised beds and potted plants for a vivid, varied garden that you’ll enjoy every day.

Where to Get the Best Raised Garden Beds

Raised bed gardening is even easier if you don’t have to worry about building the beds. The online store Wayfair has an outstanding selection of premade wooden planting beds.

Have you ever planted in raised beds? Did you enjoy it?

Rose Succulents: The Perfect Low-Maintenance Plant For Flower-Lovers

March 4, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

As an experienced gardener, I enjoy working with challenging plants, but I also enjoy discovering easy-growing, low-maintenance plants that I know will add vibrancy to my garden with very little work. That’s why I always include petunias, marigolds and mums in every garden plan, and it’s why I’m over the moon about rose succulents.

Weibo

Get to Know Greenovias

Rose succulents are formally known as greenovias. Like all succulents, they’re easy to grow and require little work.

Instagram / plantcetera

If your only experience with succulents is aloe plants or chicks and hens, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. These gorgeous, shapely plants resemble fully blown roses when they come out of dormancy.

Instagram / itsasuccylife

Gorgeous Island Natives

Greenovias are native to the Canary Islands. Sadly, they’re becoming endangered there. It’s surprising that they’re not more popular here, but we should all do our part to change that.

Unlike succulents that like hot, dry weather, greenovias prefer balmy, humid climates. They start to come out of their dormant phase when the temperatures reach 65 to 70.

Instagram / nomu.05

Greenovias Will Make You a Green Thumb

Plant expert Ashley Glassman gives a detailed tutorial on caring for greenovias. She shows how to care for them at every stage of their dormancy and life.

It’s important to know how to water greenovias to prevent sunburn and water rot.

Glassman recommends letting them go into their dormant phase. This keeps them on a natural cycle that allows them to grow strong. Follow her tips if you want greenovias as healthy, gorgeous and perfectly shaped as hers.

Get Your Own Rose Succulents

Are you ready to add these succulent beauties to your garden? You can buy them from these Etsy sellers.

This Canopy Swing Bed Lets You Relax All Day In The Shade

March 4, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 1 Comment

Do you love the feeling of sleeping on a gently rocking hammock? If you want that same tranquil motion in a setup that’s more like a true bed, this canopy swing bed is the one piece of furniture you need right now.

Leisure Season

Swing Your Stress Away

Experience true bliss when you escape the stresses of your day in your private getaway. This sturdy, well-made wooden bed is designed to comfortably fit two adults, making it the perfect place to spend some serious quality time together.

Leisure Season

It’s a Tropical Getaway Right In Your Backyard

A swing bed takes all the best parts of a hammock and transforms them. This graceful, curved bed allows you to stretch out fully and relax while feeling a steady, comforting swaying motion.

That swaying motion is almost ridiculously relaxing, but there’s more. To make this bed even more inviting, it comes with a built-in canopy that gives you privacy and keeps the sun from frying you.

Make a Canopy Swing Bed Yours

Take this wonderful bed out to your garden, deck, balcony or poolside patio where you can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine without worrying about getting burnt. You can order it on Amazon just in time for summer.

Family Clones Their Beloved Labrador Who Passed Away From Cancer

March 4, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 1 Comment

Do you remember Dolly the sheep? She became famous as the first successfully cloned mammal. Recently, a family in San Diego decided to create their own version of Dolly.

KGTV

Remembering a Hero Dog

David and Alicia Tschirhart got their beloved Labrador Marley when he was a puppy. Over the years, they naturally bonded with the adorable pup.

That bond became even stronger during a mountain hike that took place when Alicia was pregnant. As she reached for what she thought was a long stick, Marley batted away what turned out to be a rattlesnake.

KGTV

A Happy Frankenstein Story

When Marley died, the family wanted to honor their hero dog. In what you might call a happy twist on the Frankenstein story, they turned to ViaGen Pets & Equine, a company that specializes in pet cloning.

The result is Ziggy, a Labrador puppy who looks, plays and acts uncannily like Marley.

Is Pet Cloning Comforting or Creepy?

Do you think it would be comforting or creepy to see your beloved pet come back to life?

If you want to do the same thing, the cloning company says there’s a one-year waiting list for cloning and the cost is $50,000. Perhaps giving a loving home and a second chance to a rescue dog is a better alternative. We would love to know your thoughts.

Study: Elderberry Has A Potent Direct Antiviral Effect Against The Flu Virus

March 3, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

If your grandmother told you to take elderberry syrup for a cold or flu, she was right. Scientists in Australia have published an important study finding that elderberry extracts can fight the viruses that cause these illnesses.

New Research for an Old Remedy

Elderberries are an old-fashioned remedy for the cold, flu, bronchitis and fever. Now that researchers have given them the stamp of approval, you can rest easy knowing that you’re not wasting your money by taking these supplements.

How Elderberry Heals You

According to the researchers, concentrated elderberry extract works in several ways to help you heal. It stops viruses from getting larger, weakens their power and strengthens the human immune system. The study’s findings hit the news while Australia struggled with a record-breaking flu epidemic.

Another study found that taking a commercial elderberry fruit extract shortened the duration of flu symptoms by more than 50% and reduced the severity of muscle aches and fever.

How Should You Take Elderberries?

There are many commercial elderberry extracts on the market.

You can turn fresh elderberries into jam, pies, tea and wine. Never eat raw elderberries, which are poisonous.

You can use dried elderberries to make elderberry syrup. One natural health expert suggests using this syrup on desserts and pancakes. That sounds like a medicine that will go down very easy.

You can buy elderberry remedies over the counter in most places. Doctors warn that you still need to get proper medical care for the flu, especially if you’re very young, very old or have a weak immune system.

Lithops Are “Living Stones” That Look Like Beautifully Marked Pebbles

March 3, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

Lithops look exactly like stones until the day a delicate white, yellow or pink flower bursts through.

An unusual succulent plant, lithops are sometimes called “flowering stones,” “living stones” or “mimicry plants.” When you see a group of them lying on the ground together, they look just like a group of stones with colorful, pebbled surfaces. If you look closely, you can see what looks like a split in each stone. That’s where they will sprout a single flower in the spring and summer.

Lithops are Nature’s Mimics

If you want an unusual plant to add color and drama to your potting garden, try growing some lithops.

In nature, these beautiful succulents grow in the arid, hot plains of the South African desert. They have adapted to mimic the look of the stones surrounding them, but they also produce flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.

Some Special Care Required

It’s not difficult to take care of lithops, but you have to adopt a different mindset than the one you’re used to for most plants. They need special growing techniques to flourish.

Use a growing medium that offers high drainage. Don’t use dirt or potting soil.
Lithops need four hours of sunlight. Gentle morning sunlight is best for them.
You should regularly check their roots to make sure they’re all growing and thriving.
The main way people kill them is by overwatering them.

Lighten Up With Lithops

Lithops will add a lovely, unusual element to any garden. If you’re ready to try something new, give these plants a sunny spot in your yard.

Rare Rainbow Snake Spotted In Florida For The First Time Since 1969

February 28, 2020 by Good Living Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. 12 Comments

A woman in Florida had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when she encountered a rainbow snake. The rare, shy snake has not been seen in the wild since 1969 and many experts believed it was extinct.

Charles Baker

One of Nature’s Rare Jewels

Sometimes called an eel moccasin because it feeds on eels, the rainbow snake gets its name from its vividly colored scales. It stands out for the dark red stripes on its back.

These bright beauties are harmless to humans and more afraid of us than we are of them.

The Rainbow Snake is Shy and Harmless

The Florida woman spotted it while she was hiking in the Ocala National Forest. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, rainbow snakes spend their lives hidden under floating grass, water plants and Spanish moss. They rarely venture out in daylight, and it’s rare to see them anywhere close to human activity.

Experts at the Florida Zoo say rainbow snakes are harmless. They don’t have any venom, and they have no way to defend themselves if you capture them.

Scientists Thought They Were Extinct

Spotting this uncommon snake is a true gift of nature. Rainbow snakes spend most of their lives hiding from all human activity.

Sightings are so rare that in 2011, some conservationists listed them as extinct. Those same conservationists are celebrating this sighting as a sign of hope for the rainbow snake population in Florida.

It’s more proof that nature never stops surprising and astonishing us.