This Fifth Day of Summer Could Have Brought Better News...

There are currently three low-pathogenic H7 avian flu outbreaks at commercial farms in Mexico.  So far, 587,160 birds are sick, 211,242 are dead, and more than 600,000 have been culled to try to stop the contagion.  This outbreak is the first known occurrence of avian flu of this strain in Mexico. 

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jun2512newsscan.html

http://web.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=12067

Keep 'em Growing in Your Kitchen Window... Just in Case

I started a little experiment this spring that appears to be going well, so I thought I’d share it with you.

In addition to planting heirloom seed that produces viable seed that can be harvested for the following year’s garden, I decided to try my hand at potatoes purchased at the local health food store.  I selected several organic red potatoes and organic sweet potatoes and started them in water in my kitchen window.  One of each actually rooted and grew, which surprised me somewhat because of the growth retardant put on potatoes.  It did take a couple of months to see the first roots, but they did indeed start.  

Shake, Rattle and Roll... Earthquakes

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/se032512a.php

6/25/12

25 earthquakes in Alaska
2 earthquakes in Arizona
33 earthquakes in California
1 earthquake in Washington State
1 earthquake in Nevada
2 earthquakes in Montana
1 earthquake in Texas