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Should my astilbe's look dead at this time of year ?
Astilbe is a perennial with beautiful, showy flowers atop glossy, fern–like foliage. Its flower clusters vary in size from 6 inches to 2 feet and its height varies from 6 inches to 5 feet, depending on the type.
If you have a shady area, try astilbes to add color!
Should my astilbe's look dead at this time of year ?
Astilbes will go dormant (and look dead) when not in season, but in the spring they should start to revive and leaf out once ideal conditions (including plenty of water) return.
Many inconsistencies between the article (slightly acidic soil) and comment replies (alkaline soil). I'd really like to find some experts and good information, but can't find it on your site. Can you please explain?
Depending on general soil conditions, there can be a fine line between slightly acidic and alkaline—and "expert" sources provide differing information and many do not even address the matter. Here's Cornell University's page ( a generally reliable source) on hybrid astilbe > http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene4f95.html and here's their page on the Chinese astilbe > http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenecea9.html . Here's yet another (different source): http://hvp.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/astilbe.html
A pH chart from Sonoma.edu cites "many species" of Astilbe and gives them a 6.0 to 8.0 pH range. Six is on the edge of acidic and 8 and running sweet, or alkaline.: https://www.sonoma.edu/users/s/shawth/pH%20Preferences
Here is one more, from the University of Minnesota coop extension that puts astilbe on its "Alkaline Soil" page, with a note (on the right) that "This list includes some of the best plants for soils with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0." …some of the best plants…
We are not singling out these sites out for criticism, only citing them to explain the challenge, with this plant in particular. Thanks for asking.
you say that astilbes like slightly below average moisture, but regularly check to see they are moist. A bit confusing.
Sorry for any confusion. The idea is to hold back on water to prevent them from having "wet feet" but to make sure they don't completely dry out. A nice even moisture temperature is best–not too wet, not too dry. (When planted in the sun, without adequate water, they are susceptible to burning.)
I purchased 2 astilbe plants this summer and they appear to be dead. Leaves and flowers are all brown. I was hoping to move them to a different area of my garden where I am hoping they will do better. Should I cut them back or just replant them as they are without cutting them back. Thank you for your help.
Hi Ann Marie,
If the foliage was still healthy, it would be best to leave it on when transplanting. But because it is dead and no longer photosynthesizing, you can cut it back. Once you dig them, you should be able to tell by the roots if they are still viable plants.
I have a large Astilbe in a wooden container & one day of very hot sunshine, the front leaves are all withered, please advise me what to do to save it. Would it grow better in the ground. Many thanks
My blooms have bloomed and are now Brown. Do I cut these off? Will they bloom all summer?
I just got a astilbe plant from one of my friends two weeks ago. As soon as I got it I planted it and watered it two times a day some times more and it looks dead. I have not pulled it up yet but, this it the first time I had an astilbe so I don't know if I should treat it different or get a new one.
These are classified as "moderately difficult" plants in some circles. Astilbes like water, and it appears you have been giving it enough. But too much? Is it draining? Draining is critical, and a too-small container, or poor soil, may be leaving the roots in a puddle.
Astilbes like direct (but not blazing) sun with all that water but prefer shade and a bit less water in that environment. Is your plant indoors or outdoors? Does any of this sound familiar?
Here's another thing: they prefer a slightly alkaline (high) pH soil. Do you have any idea of your soil pH? Amd is it rich with organic matter? Potting soil is probably too "thin" by itself. Peat, compost, and organic matter are essential.
Are you beginning to see how it earned its ranking? Another thing: is your container large? or is it a tight-ish fit? If you start again, consider a large-ish container in some sunlight with lots of good soil.
We really hope this helps. Astilbes are beautiful but a tad finicky.
I just purchased Astilbe seeds and am wondering how long it will be from the time of planting till I actually see flowers? Thank you!
Astilbe usually takes a few weeks to show sprouts, but it depends on the variety and bloom time.
What type of Astilbe varieties can I plant to give to give a longer blooming time (early-to late)?
I planted 4x Astilbes in a raised bed last September - I cut back the dried brown stems in March but so far only one plant has started new growth. They're in a raised bed, semi-shade, fairly well drained soil. I'm in London. Thanks in advance!
It sounds like your plants should be fine. Give the other three plants a little more time to show new growth. You may have planted them a bit deeper or maybe they didn't get as much water as the plant that is growing.
I have some astilbe plants that have never bloomed. They get filtered sunlight. The leaves always look healthy just no blooms. Please advise if you have any suggestions as to the problem. I'M going to get rid of them if they don't bloom this year.
Astilbe do not usually bloom until summer unless you have an early-blooming variety. They should do well in light shade. It's important the soil stays moist, not ever dry (nor waterlogged). If these plants dried out or the soil gets dry, it affects flowing. Astilbe set flower buds for next year in the late summer/early fall so fertilize the plants at that time for flower bud formation. Also, the soil needs to be very fertile and humus-rich. Amend with organic matter. Good luck!
I just bought one and im not sure if it's sun or shade plant? i live in Florida, so the sun is very hot!
Astilbes prefer a site that receives light to moderate shade; they will burn in full sun.
Astilbe may be good plants in sandy well drained soil, but not in alkaline, clay soil. To call them tough and easy to grow is a misnomer if you live in most of the midwest. Don't waste your time if you have alkaline, clay soil. You will have to amend your soil and then water in August and September. Partial shade is necessary. Also they must be well drained in the winter since this will kill them also. Honey suckle is easy to grow and it is tough, but invasive.
Hi Ron,
Thank you for your feedback. We have tweaked the text a bit to be more clear about the plant's soil and water requirements.
-The Old Farmer's Almanac team
Someone else had this same question, but I did not see a direct answer. Are the white tubular things roots or stems ? I planted mine yesterday with the fine hair-like brown part facing upward and fear that I may have planted them upside down. Please respond asap, so I can replant if necessary. Thanks
Hi Douglas,
You need to replant. The white new growth should be above the soil and the brown stringy roots should be below ground.
from all previous posts & replies, I'm huessing the readon my astilbes turned browned was the recent excessive heat in CT while I was away... my question is what to do now? Should I cut back the flower stalks?
We suggest you increase watering a bit during these hot weather days. Many astilbes are sensitive to heat and direct sun and tend to get crispy leaves; they like evenly moist soil.
Hello, my astilbes are planted in junk dirt (almost clay). Should I consider replacing the soil?? I moved into a new house last year and planted them and they came back this year and look fine. Thank you
Make sure that the soil drains well. Astilbe doesn't like to have "wet feet". Amend the soil with peat moss, perlite and coarse sand to improve the drainage.
Hello...Last nite we had heavy rain and wind and caused my astrilbe to flatten..I'm in NJ...First time I ever had this happen...Also with the feathers(pink) the astrilbe is about 4and half feet tall... My husband and I took string and wrapped around to stand up...What to do? If I should let it dry out or cut feathers? Plant is very healthy...
Let the plants dry out and see if the "feathers" will survive. If they turn brown you can cut them off.
we have deer in our backyard - will the deer eat these plants.
No plant is deer-proof but Astilbe are in the category of "seldom damaged." In other words, there are other plants deer would prefer to eat first, unless the winter conditions are truly severe.
Am in northern Virginia and planted my Astilbes between my Japanese Pieris bushes two seasons ago. Got lots of healthy green leaves the first season but no flowers. Made sure I mulched and kept the soil moist through the winter but this spring I'm again getting lots of healthy leaves but no flowers. Can you help?
I am starting a flower bed on the north side of my house - so this particular spot gets little to no sunlight. As of right now, it's an excellent spot to grow moss.. The soil is black, moist, and clay-like. Will Astilbe grow in conditions like this?
You may need to experiment. While astilbe will bloom in shade, they prefer some sunlight to achieve their full size.
I planted 8 astilbe in front of my home facing north. I planted in clay/sand soil with slate stone landscaping. All plants are doing extremely well and all have flower spikes protruding from the base of plant. It's always moist in this area. I think what really helped me here is that I gave them all a nice watering with miracle grow for plants. After this watering they really took off. It also helps to get your stock from a nursery other than some place like Walmart...etc because they are healthier from the get go. I am in central Wisconsin near GreenBay.
I have honey bees are astilbe plants ok to plant?
Bees love Astible if that's why you're asking. Astible is an early summer flower and a big-time bee lover!
I'm in northeast Ohio and our winters are pretty harsh. Im doing a little spring cleaning and my Astilbes I planted last spring are brown and withered to the ground. Are they dead or will they come back in late spring? If there still is there anything I need to be doing to promote growth?
Astilbes go dormant in winter and so may appear to be gone. But they should come back. They are shade and moisture lovers, so give them both. Check soil pH; 5.8 to 6.8, or the acidic side of neutral is desirable. Adjust accordingly, if necessary.
I live in Fairbanks, Alaska and my Astilbes do very well. I put ground cover and leaves over them in the fall and they return every year. Fairbanks is rated a zone 2-3.
I am looking at planting Pink Astilbe for our wedding. I would like to plant them in 2 pots and leave them in there for the wedding to pose as two flower pillars at the beginning of the walk way. I am wondering if the Pink Astilbe will survive in a pot? Also when would be the best time to plant them if I live in Iowa. And lastly how will I get the tallest Astilbe?
Thank You
Astilbe can grow in an outside container, however, this plant requires a winter chill time. It can only be forced to flower if exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees F for 3 months.
Will astilbe survive heavy ontario snow/winter if they are in pots and left outside? We want a plant that we can leave out over winter
Hi, Daniela: This really depends on where you are in Ontario. If you are in southwest Ontario, you should be OK. The thing to do is to see what plant hardiness zone you are in by going here: http://www.planthardiness.gc.c.... Then do searches for plants suitable for your zone. You can also just check with your nearest nursery or garden center. Good luck!
where do these grow at i need to know for a project on them for horticulture
I am in Northern California, in an area that gets some winter frost, My astilbe plants have grown well in several areas of partial shade for years, and not spread much. I make sure they stay watered. This year the plants came up very lush, produced tons of buds, but just as they should have been starting to open, all the buds on plants that were growing in one area stopped growing and eventually turned brown. Later in the season the leaves were very eaten by some insect. Are these two things connected? I am sure it was not a heat or water problem. If it is an insect or a disease would dividing the plants and/ or increasing fertilizer help?
Astilbe plants don't have many pests. They love water and if there is not enought moisture in the soil when buds appear they may turn brown and not open at all. Add mulch around the plants and make sure to water often if there is no rain. Japaneese beatles can attack astilbe and cause damage to the foliage. It's recommended to divide and transplant astilbe every 3 to 4 years.
Do astilbes need to be cut back for the winter?
Your don't have to cut them back. After the first frost, the leaves may yellow; trim leaves if you wish and fresh growth will come next spring.
I have small seedlings growing 6-8 in. From the roots of my astilbule. They look like the same leaf but are only an inch or two tall. Is this how they spread? Can these be potted up to produce more plants next year
Yes, Mary Louise: that is how they spread, so they seedlings are most likely your astilbe. There are different varieties, and the speed with which they spread varies. It sounds like you have the botanical variety pumila—a dwarf plant that spreads more quickly than others. It has a has a foliage mound of about 6-inch-tall dark green leaves and lilac-pinkish flowers in early to mid-summer.
Even if you have a Chinese variety, the slower spreading, it is the spreading method.
I live in central California and want to grow astilbe. Does anyone know when it blooms, and if I'd be able to have any in bloom for May of next year? I'm really wanting them in the garden for my wedding.
I planted three astilbe shoots in the spring. They came up nicely and leafed out nicely....but it has never bloomed. I followed all the advice on your earlier posts. It is planted in a part shade spot sheltered from the hot afternoon sun near the steps to my deck. I live in Mississippi so we get plenty of rain and sunshine, cool mornings as in 70-80s, and hot afternoons 90s. Any ideas?? Anyone??
Beautiful as they are, astilbe can be finicky. They thrive in light shade, with moist conditions. Some even recommend waterfront or "bog" conditions. They are heavy feeders, which means they like highly organic/composted soil, and appreciate high-nitrogen fertilizer in the fall; this helps bud formation which occurs in the fall. Another factor may be soil pH: Astibles like it at 5.5 to 6.8, and that's relatively acidic.
Hope this helps!
A previous post mentioned that Astilbe need 3 months of temps below 40 degrees. Do you get that in your area of Mississippi?
Almanac Staff Wrote: "We've never heard of a way to change astilbe colors. The only solution to a brighter color is more direct sunlight. It's more likely that they did not put the right colors in your seed packet. You may need to replace or compliment with other colors.:
... Might it be a case of the sun altering the coler? The Astilbe MIGHT be planted in a location where the plant does not burn but yet does not get optimum sun light.
As more of a Hosta Grower (with only one (1) very happy Astilbe) I know that hosta can be altered by sunlight. Any chance that Astulbe behave in the same way? True the plant may not be what the plant was supposed to be.
Peter Kelley
St. Paul, MN USA
My astilbes are of 3 colors-I have 2 white,1 light pink,4 deep pink. The one light pink one is covered in flies constantly but not the other plants. Unfortunately it is right by my front door so I really have to scoot to get into the house without being followed!
Just would like to know why they are so attracted to this particular one.
I have around 20 plants in two seperate beds. This year, instead of their lovely pink and red colours, most of them have no colour at all? Is there anything I can feed them to restore their colour?
I was greatly surprised to find your website with so many answers to the people posts. I think that is a kind and professional behavior. In spite of people repeat the questions over and over. I have sent questions to different gardener websites and I did not received any answer.
I have two shade areas and I bought three times the Astilbe roots and I did not get anything. Last year I planted them again in the two different areas. Until now two of them are small growing in one area. To my surprise, I dug the other area and I found one of the roots intact despite the harsh winter that it did not grow. I planted it in the other area. Why do you think in the shade area under a big tree, the roots do not develop? Thank you
The tree may shade your plants too much and the tree roots may compete for the moisture in the soil. We suggest that you transplant the astilbe to a different spot. Make sure that the soil drains well and that it is not compacted.
I planted two astilbe plants in my garden, it's is shade for most of the day, I water regularly and I have other plants that are doing well in the same area but the astilbe flowers have all turned brown. The foliage looks okay but I'm not sure why the flowers have turned color. Help?
I have transplanted three Astilbe plants that were doing fine and now see them thin and burnt. I am afraid I have put then in an area that receives to much sun. I live in the northeast (NY) and it is July, will they survive. I have given them plenty of water but to no avail, but hoping for the best. Please advise!
Your astilbe have been scorched by high temperatures and perhaps have dry soil. to. To attempt to save, move the plants to a shady, moist location that's protected from winds.
Can Astilbe be planted close to the foundation of a house, or will the roots get big enough to cause problems over time? Is it a problem if the foliage touches the home?
Yes, it's fine to plant astilbe near the house. Astilbe need moist soil all the time so make sure it's an area that doesn't dry out or add supplemental waterings. They tend to thrive in low-lying spots.
We have a Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in Pink' PP 11860 which we planted this spring. The leaves on the plant are drying out and turning brown on the edges. We water it but not to much. Is there anything we can do to save it.
If it is especially hot weather, and your plants are in full sun, provide some temporary shade (such as a shade cloth) during the hotter part of the day. Perhaps increase the watering a bit during hot weather. Many astilbes are sensitive to heat and direct sun and tend to get crispy leaves; they like evenly moist soil.
why does our astilbe spike flowers always have lots of flies on them...they stay there for quite a while before flying off!
Our guess is that these flies are sipping the nectar from the astilbe. Each astilbe flower actually is composed of many tiny flowers, each with a little bit of nectar at the base to entice insects, bees, and butterflies to take a drink. As they do, they'll get dusted with pollen, which they will spread to other flowers as they move on.
Flies are also the lesser known pollinators.
We purchased a pale pink astilbe a few weeks ago and it was lovely but now the flowers have turned to a pale white and green so not so pretty now it is in a pot and was in all day sun in a south facing garden but we moved it to the shade today what are we doing wrongany thanks Michelle
Michelle has a same problem to the Astile in the that that it has a pale white colour from pink colour.
Could you please help us us this.
We have heard that Astilbe arendsii 'Hyacinth' starts out as pink but fades to white as the flower gets older. Other varieties also pale in flower color after one to three weeks. In general, flowers might also fade if they are pollinated, or if they are under stress, such as too much heat. But our best guess with the astilbe is that it is just their time to fade, and it is a natural part of the plant's life cycle.
We planted 3 Astilbe plants this spring and shortly after they flowered I sprayed them, with soapy water to keep the bugs off. About 3-4 days later the flowers all turned brown. The plants seem fine. should I dead head the flowers? Will the flowers come back?
do I I deadhead the flowers when they turn brown? will they re-flower this summer?
i live in so florida and wondered if there's any way to grow astilbes? i have an area of deep shade and one of morning sun with shade from around 1pm on. any suggestions?
I was given 2 astilbe plants free in pots. They have not been watered for a while and are looking really limp and sorry for themselves!! The flowers have dried up before they have even opened. I've given them a really good watering. Will they come back to life? Do I need to cut them right back??
I have my astilbes planted in a very shady area along with bleeding heart and lily of the valley. It's kept moist, but the astilbes aren't doing very well; neither are the other plants. I amended and raised the soil before planting, and only one atilbe out of 6 is even blooming at all and it's a very small pale plume. The bleeding heart is turning yellow and has become very spindly. The lily of the valley has done nothing. I wonder if all these plants need more sun. I live in zone 7, S.E. Oklahoma.
Your astilbe will do better in partial shade (morning sun, afternoon shade is best). Both the bleeding heart and the lilies of the valley are late-spring blooming plants and will not bloom again until next spring. It's natural for the bleeding heart to get spindly this time of year.
You might try watering them less frequently. A good deep watering is fine when the soil dries out but they shouldn't be watered every day. I believe they do best in shade where they receive no direct sunlight. They come in several varieties including white, pink and a dark magenta, that is almost red.
My bleeding heart does well in the shade. It is only a spring flower and does look like it's dying come summer. It will definitely bloom beautifully again in the spring next year.
We have 4 Astilbes and they are doing well in our small garden. My son,for mothers day put Weed Block and mulch down. Will this bother the existing Astilbes?
Can astilbe be planted under pine trees?
Hmm. We probably wouldn't plant astilbe under pine. As mentioned above, astilbe need a lot of water and pine trees tend to suck it all up. However, if you have a spot with an abundance of moisture, perhaps next to a lawn that is watered regularly, astilbe would be fine.
I have several astilbe under pine trees and they are doing fine.
I have been growing Astilbe for several years, however, they never look like the pictures in the garden magazines. I barely get blooms and when I do they are not very vibrant. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. They are planted in slight shade and are watered weekly. They don't seem to spread either. I really like them, but don't know why they don't look as good as the pictures. We live in zone 5. Do I need to fertilize? If so, What kind of organic fertilizer do you recommend and can I do it in the Spring or do I need to wait for Fall?
When growing astilbe, light shade works well, so that's not the issue. They do love very organic soil. Annual additions of compost or organic matter around the base of the plant will be rewarded with loads of blooms and healthy foliage.
Astilbes are unforgiving in dry soils, as the leaves will brown quickly. Keep the soil moist though not water-logged.
In terms of fertilizing, Astilbe set flower buds for next year in the late summer/early fall so fertilizer applications at that time are the most beneficial for flower bud formation. Use a slow-release fertilizer according to label directions. A fertilizer ratio of 3-1-2 is preferred. Ask you garden nursery for brand recommendations.
I have an Astilbe that has grown to about 8 feet, with 1 thick stem. I bought the plant as a baby so I haven't had flowers yet. The Astilbe grows in the rockery next to my pond, under a Viburnum tree, so is sheltered. The leaves haven't dropped off in 2 years. Should I cut the thick stem back in Spring? In Johannesburg, South Africa we do have cold winters.
The plant you're describing is most probably goat's beard. Check information on care of goat's beard.
I wondered if Astilbes make a good potted plant? Im in zone 9a and we will get a few days of 100 degree temps, but I wanted to put in on my covered patio. Thank you in advance.
Astilbe can grow in an outside container, however, this plant requires a winter chill time. It can only be forced to flower if exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees F for 3 months.
I love astilbes flower. It is a beautiful flower. It catches my eye
So I just read the post that says Astilbes are usually safe from deer and rabbits. Can you give me a clue what then might have dug up my newly planted beauties? (in the ground for about 4 weeks) I do have a plethora of chipmunks around
Astilbe doesn't have a lot of pests, but it could be rodents. To protect your plants, the only thing that might work for small critters is laying down hardware cloth, 1/2-inch wife mesh, over the soil. Remove once the plants are established and bigger.
Skunk maybe? Skunks are famous for digging. They are after the earthworms and bug in the ground. They even eat yellowjacket grubs! Good skunk!
My astilbes (quart size containers) were planted in July and even started putting on new leaves. Now everything is brown and dying. We started having 100 degree temperatures about the same time. Is that the problem? Will they come back in the spring? I have kept them watered and they are in almost complete shade.
You got it. 100 degree temps! Astilbe plants aren't big fans of sun, direct sunlight, nor high temps. Get them in part shade or filtered shade. Keep them moist with mulch and make sure the water levels aren't too low. Water them deeply, then let the ground get dry, and water them deeply again. We hope that they recover.
I am afraid that my young astilbes are dying. They have turned brown already and its not even fall yet. Do they do this this early? What can I do to save the ones still with some green?
Hi Corrie, We aren't sure where you are located. Here are some thoughts: Astilbe do not like much sun so if the sunlight levels or temps are too high, get them in part shade or filtered shade. Also, they like moist conditions so if the water level is too low, that could be an issue. Water them deeply, then let the ground get dry, and water them deeply again. We hope that they recover.
My astilbe are supposed to be pale pink, but the blooms for the last 2 years have been a pale green/ gold color. They are in full sun and seem quite healthy. Can I amend the soil ( like I do with aluminum sulfate for my hydrangeas) in order to get them to be pink?
We've never heard of a way to change astilbe colors. The only solution to a brighter color is more direct sunlight. It's more likely that they did not put the right colors in your seed packet. You may need to replace or compliment with other colors.
My landscaper planted astilbe about 12 years ago. They are in a shade area, but some of them get morning sun and afternoon shade. Over the years the astilbe has gotten smaller and smaller, in terms of both the leaves and the bloom. I fertilized them this spring but only one (in the most sahde) bloomed. Any suggestions?
Astilbe leaves get smaller in dry soil. They like very organic soil that is moist. Also, best to fertilize in late summer/fall because this is when they form buds for next year.
My neighbor's 2 bushes are killing my astilbe and I would like to move it on the north side of the house. Is there a recommended time period in the fall to move it?
Astilbe are quite hearty. You can transplant in early spring though fall is fine, too. Wait until the temperature cools and it's at least 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes.
I don't know which way to plant my astillble. I don't know if its bark with lots of roots
Astilbes are shipped bareroot. Plant with the roots fanned slightly and pointing downwards, and with the eyes or growing points about an inch below soil level. Space plants about a foot apart.
Help! My astilbe is taking over my garden! How do I control this plant?
Yes, astilbe has a spreading habit which is what makes it great for ground cover. You need to divide to control the spread every 3 to 4 years. Divide your astilbe in the early spring. Also, deadhead the spent flowers so it won't self-seed and produce more flowers. Finally, use borders to maintain astilbe to a space.
should my astilbe bloom all summer?
Astilbes bloom for 2 to 3 weeks each. However, by selecting several varieties with different bloom times (early- to late-season), the floral display can be extended over 2 or 3 months.
My beautiful plants are striking but one of them, 4 weeks after planting, and blooming , has started to fade to a cream color and appears it's not doing well.
Did I do something wrong, or is that a natural cycle and process ?
Thank you
Hi, Joe, Astilbes are heavy feeders, so be sure the soil has rich compost material that is well draining. Fertillizer 3-1-2 is recommended in spring; perhaps it's not too late. It's suggested to remove dead leaves or cut plants back to ground if foliage dries out during summer. They are vulnerable to powdery mildew, and leaf spot, and fungicides are recommended. Wilted or stunted plants should be removed. Here are a few possible problems and remedies: http://extension.psu.edu/pests...
We hope this helps.
My Astilbe was pink when I bought it, now the chutes are dark in color. How can I get them back?
Hi, By chutes, I assume you mean new flower chutes.. :) The flowers will appear more dark than expected until the little tiny flowers actually open. I had the same concern about mine at first. patience is rewarded. Hope yours brightens up too. :)
I have baby box elders all over my plant. Will soapy water damage the astilbe?
Soapy water is used to kill insects. Just make sure it's not too much. Use 1-2 tablespoons of soap per gallon of water.
Do astilbes have problems with deer and/or rabbits?
There is NO such thing as a truly deer-resistant plant, however, astilbe is a plant that neither deer nor rabbit prefer to eat. Go for it!
I have a large astilbe garden and deer and rabbits have never bothered them while doing major damage to surrounding plants.
Do Astilbes die out in the Winter months?


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I used to love playing the original Descent games back in the 1990's so I was pretty stoked to see this Kickstarter project for a prequel game.
If you've never played Descent then it's basically you in a spaceship flying around inside some mines inside a planet / asteroid, it can get quite disorientating as you can rotate in all directions but it was a great multi-player shoot-each-other LAN game :)
Read the full post 'Descent: Underground...' →
Check Dropbox CLI / dropbox.py status via cron / bash script
I've been using the command line (CLI) version of Dropbox on my Centos 6.5 server as an offsite backup and it has been working well, the recent 1TB storage upgrade makes this a decent backup option.
One problem I've been having is that sometimes the Dropbox process seems to die, I tried several different scripts to keep track of the status of dropbox via the dropbox.py python scripts but I eventually found this bash script to work. I've set it as an hourly cron job in /etc/cron.hourly and it's working well so far.
Read the full post 'Check Dropbox CLI / dropbox.py stat...' →
Hide WordPress Toolbar for a specific page template
For a project I was working on recently I was using a simplified version of the single page template in order to load specific pieces of content into iframes within a plugin page in the WordPress Admin. This was so I could preview the arrangement of the content in the page layout using a custom layout tool I created.
One of the first things I usually do when creating an account in WordPress is to disable the Toolbar in my user profile so that it doesn't get in the way when trying to work on the layout of the site. So on this current site the page content I was loading into the iframes looked fine, however, whilst previewing it on someone else's WordPress account which did not have the Toolbar disabled I realised that each one of my iframes had the toolbar showing and was then pushing the iframe content down.
Read the full post 'Hide WordPress Toolbar for a specif...' →
An Illustrated History of Mac OS X
The maker of the popular Git client for mac Tower have created a great illustrated history of OSX which gives a potted history of how OSX has progressed over the past 14 years of development.
My first ever titanium PowerBook laptop came with Mac OSX 10.1 Puma on it, there's quite a difference in aesthetic from those days to now!
Read the full post 'An Illustrated History of Mac OS X...' →
Animated gif of XKCD's Philae probe Comet Landing cartoon
XKCD's daily cartoon covered the Rosetta / Philae comet landing that took place on 12 November 2014 with a great continously updating cartoon throughout the day.
As all of XKCD's cartoons are available under a Creative Commons licence I thought it would be good to make an animated gif of all of the frames, so here it is:
Read the full post 'Animated gif of XKCD's Philae probe...' →
iPhone view of 2013
Well, it took me the first half of the year to get around to compiling my 'iPhone view' video for 2013 but I finally got a round to it so here it is:
Read the full post 'iPhone view of 2013...' →

subset: commoncrawl


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PTM-72 tools use the same 'twin motor' handle as the PTM-52 but fitted with a durable 72mm gearbox to allow higher torque outputs. The 'twin motor' concept gives the benefit of high run-down speeds while adding very little to the size and weight of the tool.
The integration of electronic measurement and control into the PTM-72 Series is achieved with the minimum impact on overall tool size and weight. The actual applied torque is accurately measured at the output of the tool meaning that a repeatability of +/-2% can be guaranteed.
Shut-Off, Internal Control tools include a torque transducer, easy to read LED display, control panel and a solenoid valve to shut off the air supply once the desired torque has been reached.
Please select further products to compare.
Norbar has devised easy-to-use online calculators that support the correct application of torque in three key areas:


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Welcome to our New Discussion Forum
The perfect place for automotive technicians throughout the country to share ideas and knowledge. Get the help you need and offer your expertise to helping others with their automotive questions.
Guess what? There's not very much content in our new Forum yet. We're waiting for all of you to start getting involved. You don't have to just ask questions.
Tell us about the car that came in today with absolutely no brakes or how you solved a suspension problem that no one else could.
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Help your friends and you will be rewarded.
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"Do not wish for gratitude.
Never strike at the heart.
Now if you die, you will have no regrets."
—The Seven-Point Thought Transformation
Like wise old friends, two Tibetan masters offer down-to-earth advice for cultivating compassion, wisdom, and happiness in every situation. Based on practical Buddhist verses on "thought training" (lojong), Advice from a Spiritual Friend teaches how to develop the inner skills that lead to contentment by responding to everyday difficulties with patience and joy.
Following Stephen Batchelor's introduction to the Kadamapa tradition that gave rise to these earthy, pithy instructions, Part One is a commentary by Geshe Dhargyey to Atisha's (982-1054) Jewel Rosary of a Bodhisattva. Part Two includes a commentary by Geshe Rabten to the famous Seven-Point Thought Transformation.
First published in 1977, Advice from a Spiritual Friend is a Wisdom classic that has enriched readers in many editions over the years. As Batchelor says in his introduction, "These teachings are as applicable today as they were when Atisha first introduced them to Tibet."
Read the biographies of Chekawa Yeshe Dorje and Atisha at the Treasury of Lives.


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Sasquatch. The Wild Man. Aired On American Paranormal
- Published: February 3, 2010
- Bigfoot Video, Featured Story
- 3,511 views
- 1 comment
- Printable version
Sasquatch. The Wild Man. Bigfoot. Believers in the massive creature claim he's half man, half primate and roams the Pacific Northwest. Join a team of experts as they use advanced scientific analysis to investigate the phenomenon to reveal what's science, and what's science fiction. Follow along as we break down one of the most controversial pieces of evidence… a 40-year-old film that many believe is actual video of the apelike being.
Read more: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/bigfoot-4572/Overview#ixzz0eFTSHN1F
About the Author
One Comment on "Sasquatch. The Wild Man. Aired On American Paranormal"
wrote on 28 August, 2010, 2:09
why not? we can not prove god exists so why can't an animal/human hide from us to…?


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America's Hidden Obesity Epidemic
The United States is the fattest country in the world -- and I'm not talking about our wallets, folks! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disheartening 35.7% of the population is considered obese. That's considerably higher than the next closest countries, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia, which have obesity rates ranging between 25% and 30%.
A huge, but largely preventable, problem
The sad part about obesity is that it's preventable more often than not. Medical costs associated with obesity were estimated by the CDC in 2008 at $147 billion annually, with obese people, on average, registering a cost premium of $1,429 as compared to someone of average weight. Obesity also brings on higher risks of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers.
And it isn't just that being overweight has been shown to be poor for your long-term health; it's that society has surrounded itself in a cocoon that frowns upon obesity from the magazines we read, to the commercials we watch, and the movies we see on the big screen. The push toward creating a healthier lifestyle has begun in our homes with the way we eat, exercise, and live our lives. Unfortunately, as the following U.S. obesity map shows, it's not been nearly enough.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Obesity has also been a big research driver in the pharmaceutical sector as well where 13 years went by since the last chronic weight management drug was approved. That changed last year with the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of VIVUS' Qsymia and Arena Pharmaceuticals' Belviq for the treatment of chronic weight management. Neither drug is a miracle cure, but an average weight loss of around 6% to 8% can be expected on either pill over a year's time based on late-stage clinical trial results.
America's hidden obesity epidemic
However, an even scarier obesity trend is likely rearing its head in another part of your household and you aren't even aware of it. Close to one half of all families are oblivious to its existence, but contribute to it anyway. What I'm talking about is the rampant pet obesity epidemic in this country!
According to the latest study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention conducted in 2012 and released last month, a staggering 55% of household pets (52% of dogs and 58% of cats) are considered either overweight or obese. Furthermore, in APOP's study, 45% of pet owners incorrectly identified their pet as being "normal weight" when the veterinarian identified the pet as either "overweight" or "obese." That equates to just shy of 80 million animals in this country that are suffering from the same types of ailments as humans: mainly hypertension, osteoarthritis, and an increased risk of diabetes and certain types of cancers solely because of their weight.
Now, I have a confession to make -- I am the proud owner of an overweight Dachshund. I had no problem in recognizing that he was overweight, yet, as a member of the family, I had no qualms about giving him an extra treat when he was younger. Having now reached middle age for his breed, I'm beginning to notice what those extra pounds are doing to him from a health perspective; and it's not good. It's definitely difficult saying "no" to my dog, but I've managed to work off 17% of his previous body weight in the past year through smaller food portions and more rigorous exercise.
The point is that just as we saw with many cases of human obesity, pet obesity can be mitigated with proper diet, exercise, and a want by owners to change the quality of life for their pets. I'm making that move, but far too many owners are simply complacent in doing nothing.
Ignore this trend at your own risk
If you choose to do nothing, then you're playing right into the hands of pharmaceutical giants like Zoetis , Merck , and IDEXX Laboratories , which are counting on your indifference to drive their profits.
If you don't believe that pet obesity is an epidemic, all you need to do is look toward Zoetis' Slentrol, which is an anti-obesity pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2007 to treat dogs. That's right; a chronic weight management pill to treat our pets came more than five years before big pharma introduced a new anti-obesity pill for humans -- and yet, our pet obesity rate continues climb. In trials, Slentrol produced a mean weight loss of 11.8% in the 141 dogs tested, but it still requires the owner to stick to a dietary and exercise game plan to ensure the best chance of success.
If your faithful feline or pup should ever develop diabetes from being overweight, chances are they could be prescribed Vetsulin, an FDA-approved insulin injection to treat diabetes mellitus made by Merck Animal Health and targeted at hyperglycemia. Two injections a day and close monitoring of your pet are required to provide successful glycemic balance using this drug.
IDEXX Labs is also counting on your overweight or obese pet to drive its small animal health products that range from in-home and veterinary office diagnostic and imaging tests, to software designed to optimize veterinarians' bottom lines. IDEXX's I-Vision Direct Capture system, for instance, could be called upon for its quick and crisp imaging capabilities to help diagnose osteoarthritis and other bone-related diseases in pets caused by being overweight. As obesity trends have risen so have IDEXX's sales, which are up by an average of 10.5% each year over the past decade.
How can we fix this?
The point here is simple -- we can choose to kill two birds with one stone by simply choosing to exercise with our pets. Instead of watching TV in the house, take your dog for a walk. Instead of playing video games, grab a toy for your feline friend and entertain them. The thing about health-consciousness is that it's incredibly contagious. Having your pet eating better and exercising more is likely to, in turn, get you eating better and exercising more as well. It's a vicious (but fantastic) cycle that will have you and your pet feeling better and living happier, healthier lives.
Another key takeaway is that, when push comes to shove, we will do just about anything to ensure the health of our pets, as they've crossed that barrier -- at least in America -- from being just a pet to becoming part of the family. This means that animal-focused pharmaceuticals like Zoetis, Merck, and IDEXX stand to benefit whether obesity trends continue to rise, and they could make for some of the smartest and safest investment on Wall Street.
While you can certainly make huge gains in biotech and pharmaceuticals, the best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool's free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich" names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.
The article America's Hidden Obesity Epidemic originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Sean Williams has no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen name TMFUltraLong, track every pick he makes under the screen name TrackUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle @TMFUltraLong.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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I cast Free Spells that work to help rid negative energies that maybe effecting your life adversely. Negative energies, hexes, curses and bad luck all have a very detrimental effect on your life and your destiny.
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The law requires me to state that the contents of this website are for entertainment purposes only.
Psychic, tarot and spell casting services cannot be a substitute for professional, legal,
medical, financial or psychiatric advice/care, where appropriate.
You must be at least 18 years old to make any purchase from me.
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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is not permitted.


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Even in ancient times it was documented by the first-century historian Flavius Josephus was so impressed by the area that he wrote, "One may call this place the ambition of Nature."
There is a vast array of natural beauty, from the lush green Biriya Forest, to the glimmering sea coast, the Hula National Park, the Jordan River, to the spectacular mountain range; you can view the whole northern coastline from the Rainbow cave, which is very popular with mountain climbers.
The Galilee is not a large region; in fact a mere 80 miles separate its northern border-the peak of Mount Hermon from its southern most boundaries along the Jezreel Plain, the site of biblical Armageddon! Its eastern reaches the far edge of the Golan plateau, lie only 50 miles from the Mediterranean Sea in the west. It is only a one hour drive from one end of the Galilee to the other and it is also a short hop from major attractions all around Israel: a two hour drive to Tel Aviv, under three hours to Jerusalem or the Dead Sea.
Imagine taking in the lush green environment around you as you sit in the shade of an ancient olive tree, the rolling mountains, the beautiful sea and the relaxing spa's, a place to bask in the sun on a quite beach, or walk along a cobblestone lane still echoing with footsteps of history. Its mystical atmosphere takes the visitor far away from the frantic world we live in today.


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Imagine a band of six guitarists, each playing a one-stringed instrument in unison. The strings, tuned in the configuration C D E F G A, emitting bursts of laser light with each pluck, hammer-on, and strum. The coloration of each flash apparently determined by the pitch of the note struck. The musicians, themselves, are arrayed on a pyramid-shaped scaffold, seated one atop the other. The composition they play is called "Six String Sonics".
High concept? Off the wall? Worth a listen (even if only to sate your curiosity)? Then you have stumbled into the mindset of the Japan Media Arts Festival. The JMA, just having completed its ninth iteration, is held each year in Tokyo. What once was once an obscure showcase for a handful of Japanese artists, has now become a well-subscribed, prominently publicized global event. This year, almost 1,800 entries were submitted in four divisions: Art, Entertainment, Animation, and Manga, each parsed into sub-categories, for a total of 22 distinctive groupings. Over 400 of the works were submitted from 43 overseas' nations, and top prizes like the Sonic Strings mentioned above, whose Japanese-surnamed creator was born in the US and is currently schooling at UCLA were garnered by foreign applicants. At least when it comes to the media arts, it would seem, Japan is not a closed market.
But in other ways, this was very much a show of and about Japan. For instance, another of the award-winning projects in the Arts Division basically captured a train run from northwestern Yamagata to Tokyo. Can't get more home-grown than that. The trip was shot through a carriage window of a shinkansen, the ReDot's original "bullet train" just like any passenger experiences it; but then something unique transpires. Creator Kazuhiko Kobayashi broke the images down into individual frames, rearranging them in circular form, then animated them. The impression forged is not the linear stream that normally attacks the visual cortex when trains are propelled down tracks; instead, one encounters a kaleidoscopic world in which each new image flows from the prior and bleeds into the next, pulling witnesses into an imploded vortex; an ever-cycling center.
Of course, given the mutating world burbling up around the viewer, there are very few discernable features which trumpet themselves as contemporary ReDot topography. Obscured are the flattened strips of lush rice fields; the claustrophobic, inner-ear-puckering compression of the mountain-carved tunnels; and the intermittent scraps of up-cropping skyscrapers, grouped in their indistinct, non-descript grey. It is only the palpable whir of the bullet train down the tracks that possibly betrays what is being viewed. Only when the conductor's final loud-speaker address is heard with its recitation of connecting trains, destinations, and linking exits coupled with a close-up of the station sign "Tokyo", that the audience becomes aware of what has just been witnessed. The final announcements so much a part of daily ReDot life-in-transit along with what is arguably the sign declaring arrival in ReDot's "national hometown" become the essential end-pieces providing a settling resolution to what had been a jarring few minutes. The trip Kobayashi calls "Gate Vision" is reminiscent of, though far less hypnotic than, the final psychedelic spin in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"Culture" has countless definitions, but basically boils down to "ways of life", and in the JMA it is these various ways that are exposed if not celebrated through media. Multiple practices and ideas are explored, to be sure: from nude dancers bounding in endless turns of power, passion and grace through a concrete cell, to foodstuff logos come to life to wage war, mutilate, and otherwise visit acts of annihilation upon one another.
As for Japanese ways of life, one of the stand-out works presented was Rumiko Hoya's paean to the cherry blossom, realized in the context of simple, everyday, rooted experience. Her animated film Sakurano shita de (Beneath the Cherry Blossoms) was rendered in plain line drawing imprecise, impressionistic black brush strokes reminiscent of sumi-e or Japanese calligraphy. Her tale centers on a "salaryman" who escapes his daily drudge at the urging of a spry grade school girl. Hoya places him at a bus stand, waiting for his evening return home; his stooped-shoulders conveying the constant downward pressure of his unrelenting work-a-day world. But when he spies the giggling, carefree girl drop her red randoseru (book bag) on the steep steps leading to a temple's wide grounds, he straightens, retrieving her bag, then hastens up the stairs in her wake. Barely able to top the rise, he finds the young lass earnestly at play, lost in her world of meaningful frivolity. Beneath the glorious pink-petaled trees, the child frolics on a carpet of plush blossoms. Drinking the scene in, the salaryman reclines, rests his head in his crossed arms, and closes his eyes. A haunting melody rises, then swells, sung with astonishing sonority in a style reminiscent of an old country ballad; the words extol the beauty and loss that attends the annual blooming of the sakura.
After the girl cavorts and the man has had his respite, they descend the steps together, back to the everyday ReDot realm. His bus arrives and he boards, alone; and, as his bus sets itself into motion, the young miss waves "goodbye". In the final frames the bus delivers the man to his doorstep and the second story shutters open, revealing the worker's handsome wife. Once the front door opens and he has shed his shoes, he approaches a mantle in the living room, where a framed picture of his young playmate sits. There, beside it, a vivid, pink cherry blossom petal rests. In this coupling what amounts to an existential and temporal impossibility the persistent wending of life is revealed: moments, people, places, and events, continually recombined; objects of import in the thoroughfares of our lives individually and collectively coming to rest atop, astride, within and because of one another, in seemingly infinite array.
For the JMA this year, numerous laments were issued by jurists in charge of dispensing awards. In animation, for instance, Division Head, Yoshiyuki Tomino, invoked the hallowed Katsushika Hokusai in the exhibition catalogue as a means of sounding alarm. Hokusai, you may know, was ReDot's late 18th Century ukiyo-e painter, whose highly stylized images are often mentioned as a precursor of the manga form of visual expression. And it was Hokusai whose works tended to capture the mundane in immediate, occasionally dramatic, often visceral ways. For this master, the astonishing lay embedded within the everyday. His thematic philosophy well-captured in his claim: "It is easy to depict invisible demons and it is difficult to depict ordinary people." In the case of Sakurano shita de, the artist Hoya appears to have fully internalized this message. For, her portrayal of the brief reminiscence by a world-weary father is "art" in the truest sense; it manages to capture emotion, distill lives, tell hidden tales, and elicit feeling from the audience by the simplest of means, both technically and thematically, through the wedding of setting, metaphor, screened action, and sound.
Of course, art is not all about simplicity. It involves expression, representation, execution, communication a lot of "shun"" which is, unfortunately what often happens to a lot of art. That is because art is also a two-way process involving not only creators, but consumers as well. Art doesn't end up on canvas or screen, on the airwaves or inside of a micro-transistorized box without a succession of linked events, including: conception, discovery, crafting, delivery, reception, recognition, and - if the artist is lucky meditation. Repeated viewing and enthusiastic endorsements to the world at-large can also be felicitous outcomes for the artist and his or her work. On the other hand, perhaps not. After all, copious positive buzz was not one of the defining features of Vincent Van Gogh's professional portfolio, and look at all the exceptional creations he ended up crafting, nonetheless.
As for the Japan Media Arts Festival, there certainly was buzz. The day I attended, the final day of its nine-day run at Tokyo's Metropolitan Museum of Photography, the theatre was standing room-only, the exhibition halls were shoulder-to-shoulder, with long queues to sample various exhibits. This being media-based art, there were more than simply movies to sit through, photos to gawk at, and paintings to pass in front of. There were, for instance, computer games loaded on PDAs for stylus-wielding users to manipulate by pushing buttons superimposed on a screen. A jury favorite in this genre was Nintendogs developed (as one might surmise) by Nintendo, which allowed users to stroke virtual canines, who would then proceed to roll over and react as one might expect under conditions of extreme petting. A "bark mode" also enabled virtual puppies in the vicinity (on other PDAs loaded with the same software) to congregate via wireless signaling, as dogs in the real world might do. Art, in this sense, exploited the capabilities of the medium, while also subverting one of the major critiques of electronic media; rather than imposing what anthropologist Brian McVeigh calls "interiorization" on users, Nintendogs linking capability had the potential, at least, to force a kind of sociality on users.
Other submissions were no less interactive. The Grand Prize went to a piece involving a set of cinematic images projected on a screen, which, once touched, altered the sequence and appearance of the subsequent images displayed. This kind of programmed spontaneity is more in line with mediated art of the future; the kinds of work our children will take for granted when they pass through virtual museums in a couple of decades. Another noteworthy entry, called "Impossible Block", involved a pile of cubes that the viewer/participant was required to stack, one at a time. By so doing they could construct objects of their choosing, such as people or houses. Beyond design, the blocks could be assigned any of six colors (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow), and perspective was continually manipulated, given that all the blocks shared the same size, no matter whether placed in front or in back, or whichever visual angle was adopted by the designer.
Art is a realm of chaotic diversity stocked with multiple genres, addressing any number of themes, realized by the panoply of communication forms at a creator's fingertips. If nothing else, the JMA succeeded in capturing this essence the bedlam of multiplicities, the noise of creative expression, the messy complexity of negotiated meaning. Although art is not quite on the order of porn the "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it" kind of thing, it does posses certain je ne c'est quoi qualities. One of those is whether the art that presents itself to viewers is clear on the surface, in and of itself as "good"" or not. Another of these unknowns is: whatever determination we render, what is it about the good that makes it "good" or what about the bad makes it "worse than good". And beyond these je ne c'est quois, more hands thrown in the air; such as: by what criteria would one ever go about making such a judgment.
For the judges, themselves, this JMA too often presented too little discernible bang; too few of those gilded moments of: "Ah, now THAT is good art!" For Michiko Kusahara, head jurist of the Arts Division, still images and web works were oh, so "regrettably lackluster". For Hironori Terai, a jurist in the Animation Division, "creators… recognized as professionals (were) conservative" and "seem(ed) to avoid challenges by shutting themselves in their own style." Tsunekazu Ishihara, jurist in the Entertainment Division, railed out against products entered by major companies which amounted to "a series of TV commercials strung together." The work of individual works was no less disappointing, offering "little understanding of the theory of presentation… (being) ungenerous in their explanations, assuming that (the user) could understand immediately what we were being shown."
In short, art may be what the creator believes it to be, but good art may lie in what the audience claims it is or should be. And, although in my more naive moments I may rail against this communication turn, and wish to resist this alteration in the power relation between creation and consumption, other considerations do enter the equation. The kind, for instance, that come when happening across the feverish ministrations by an eight-year-old manipulating his Nintendog stylus, and more: his authentic delight in making the mutt roll over and pant with glee.
The kind of calculation, as well, that arises in the form of the 20-deep queue itching to get a crack at rotating the louvers of an exhibit that will enable witnessing the back-lit nubile silhouette repeatedly trading her street clothes for pajamas in her sparsely-furnished bedroom. The social endorsement that comes in the form of rabid viewer participation suggests that more is at work here than what is morally good or of deep intellectual value. Good art, it turns out, may not always be good for you; it may be something akin to good euphoria. More seriously, and to the point, when it comes to media arts, aesthetic evaluations of good (and bad) may have very little to do with it.
Perhaps like the JMA, itself it is enough that art exists; that there is an effort being made to create, to communicate, to cogitate; that there is an audience available and willing to consume the products of artistic hands and minds. In a world such as ours beset by disasters natural and political; fraught with corruption, inequality, poverty and the under-realization of human potential art serves as an essential reminder of all that humans are capable of; of what is remarkable about creative endeavor.
Even if that creative capability only amounts to designing an animated mongrel that, when scratched under the ear with an electronic pen, will thump his tail, roll over, and slobber.
Authenticity Issues and the New Intimacies
// Marginal Utility
"The social-media companies have largely succeeded in persuading users of their platforms' neutrality. What we fail to see is that these new identities are no less contingent and dictated to us then the ones circumscribed by tradition; only now the constraints are imposed by for-profit companies in explicit service of gain.
READ the article


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Rescue crews had to shut down I-94 near Milwaukee yesterday after a fiery crash. Six people were injured in a collision between a semi, a pickup truck and an SUV in Racine county.
The truck burst into flames. The crash happened near Highway G in the southbound lane just after nine in the morning. The scene was cleared around two in the afternoon.
Fiery Crash Closes I-94
Posted: Fri 5:35 AM, Jun 02, 2006


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[Stealing a moment just for me. Taking a deep breath, being still, capturing a fleeting moment of beauty.]
Category Archives: photography
Weekly Photo Challenge: Hands
Be Still Friday
Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue
I snapped this photo back in March after our hike in the Pisgah National Forest, located in the mountains of western North Carolina. I love how the mountains take on an array of different shades of blue! You can check out our hike from that day right here.
Be Still Friday
Great Apps for Easy Photo Editing
So you want to be an iphoneographer. Alright then, let's chat.
You guys already know that I love me some nature. Probably the only thing I love nearly as much as nature (besides my family) is taking pictures of the nature I encounter each day. So today I'm going to show you how I edit all the photos you see in my Be Still posts. I feel like I am sharing all of my sacred photography secrets today, but I really like you guys so I'll let you in on a little secret…I'm not really good at taking great photos, but I sure do have a whole lot of fun editing the ones I take. And with these great apps shown below, it becomes really easy for anyone to do! So come on, let me spill some of my tips….
I usually use the first three apps shown above for nearly all of my photo editing. Instead of trying to describe each app in detail, let me show you how I use these apps. We'll start with a random, unedited photo from my backyard:
original, unedited photo captured on iphone
Photo Forge 2 is by far the most powerful photo editing app that I have found. In addition to the basic functions like cropping and rotating, this amazing app allows you to adjust the exposure, white balance, color balance, curves, levels and much, much more. It also has a pop! cam application that lets you have a bit of fun playing with different types of film and optics. This is my go-to app for editing a photo. If you only download one photo editing app, this should definitely be it. Here's an example of how I might edit a photo using this app:
Edited with Photo Forge 2 (adjusted curves, applied GBS optics lens in the pop! cam app, added warm filter, added border)
Next up we have the Photo Toaster app. This is also an excellent app that allows you to produce great photos very quickly. Although it is not as powerful as Photo Forge, I end up using this one the most when I'm in a hurry and the photo doesn't need much help in the exposure or color balance department. Here's an example of what this app can do:
Edited with Photo Toaster (overcast correction applied, vibrant filter added, small black vignette added, old paper texture added, black border added)
The third app that I love is Pixlr-o-matic. This app is so much fun! I use this one to give my photos a retro, vintage feel. It also has the best borders/frames, hands down. I use this app often, even if just for the borders. Here's an example:
Edited with Pixlr-o-matic (Melissa film applied, vignette added, dirt frame added)
There's one more important app that you should probably get to know. The Photo Markr app allows you to quickly and easily watermark your photo, as shown below:
Watermark added via Photo Markr
The other apps shown at the top of the post are worth checking out, too. The apps for making collages are extremely useful if you are into that sort of thing…
I hope you found this post mildly helpful. I have so much fun editing my photos, so I thought all of you should, too.
So tell me, what photo editing apps do you love? Have you used any of the ones I mentioned in this post….what's your take on them?
Be Still Friday
Be Still Friday
Turn my iphone into a microscope?
Yes please! Sign me right up.
Check it out:
iPhone Microscope by 3B Scientific
Ah, the science geek in me rejoices. What more could a former biochemist/molecular biologist want? It's every science girl's dream come true. Another iphone add-on goes onto the wish list.
Or…are you ready for this? You can make your own with these instructions. Be still my heart! I can't take any more!
But wait, there's more. How about making this one for only $10 bucks. Click here to see the images and how-to.
I feel a new weekend project coming up. This girl is just plain giddy with excitement. Little Man loves using microscopes, so he's going to be really excited about this project.
Anyone else think this is pretty cool? Come on, I can't be the only one, right?!
iPhoneography and iPhone lenses
iPhoneography: the art of capturing, editing and processing photos with an iphone
Today as we worked in the yard, I decided to photograph all the creepy-crawly insects we came across. I whipped out my handy-dandy iphone whenever I caught sight of something interesting. If you read my blog at all, you already know that I tend to do that a lot. All of my Be Still photos are taken, edited and processed by my iphone. I have found some really cool apps that help me take my photos where I want them to be. I guess you could say I've turned into an iphoneographer of sorts. I enjoy catching fleeting moments of interest and beauty while I'm on the go. Don't get me wrong–I still enjoy using my nice cameras. But there is something fun and addictive about iphoneography in general. That's why I need these Olloclip lenses for my phone! Aren't they awesome?! They're on my wish list for now.
So tell me, do you love to capture images on your iphone as much as I do? Do you use apps to edit and process those images?


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Artist description:
around 50%-60% ink used dont remember
Flash Draw Created Jun 21, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 freemoneyplz.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
Inspireful* scene, love your art. The simplistic aproach is always a sign of great mastery...(what am i even saying here?) Great job dood!!!
I always feel compelled to use all the ink u_u I don't know why, I almost feel guilty if i don't. But I also feel the same about not finishing a drink.. or dinner. I feel obliged to clean the plate clean Dx maybe thats why im fat u.u pftt anyways--
a little off tract, but great draw xD 'Loving them blue tones in the sky
Great landscaping! I love the depth in this. Too often landscapes appear flat, but you really made this "pop". 5h


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Kanji in this term | |
相 | 槌 |
あい Grade: 3 |
つち > づち Jinmeiyō |
kun'yomi |
相槌 (hiragana あいづち, romaji aizuchi)
- Customary signals made during a conversation to indicate comprehension or attentiveness; backchannelling.
Usage notesEdit
相槌 refers to a custom in Japanese culture wherein it is considered polite and necessary to indicate while listening that you are in fact listening. This is usually done through terse comments (such as "I see"), affirmative grunts and other noises, and gesticulations, such as a slight nodding of the head. While it is common to do this in the U.S., it is not as clearly defined a custom. Thus, it is not generally considered impolite when a person doesn't make 相槌, and there no single word to describe it.
Derived termsEdit
- 2002, Ineko Kondō; Fumi Takano; Mary E Althaus; et. al., Shogakukan Progressive Japanese-English Dictionary, Third Edition, Tokyo: Shōgakukan, ISBN 4095102535.


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They chose the private Walloon Lake Country Club because it was near Stacey's family's vacation cabin. Dan and Stacey took photos on the cabin's dock before the ceremony. "It was so fun to be dressed up on that dock, a place I usually walk across barefoot or in flip-flops," Stacey remembers.
- Featured In: Lakeside Wedding in Petoskey, MI


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Rohit Sharma is a prominent member of the young batting brigade of India. His vast repertoire of shots and lazy elegance make him a sight to behold at the batting crease.
In the IPL, Rohit plays for the Mumbai Indians, and is led by his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. While he prepares for IPL 2012, Rohit took some time off to chill with a T20 Q & A session with www.iplt20.com.
1. My favourite cuisine is Chinese. It's a good thing that there are plenty of Chinese restaurants near my house.
2. My favourite beverage is hot chocolate.
3. My favourite movie is Veer Zara. I love watching romantic movies and I'm yet to watch a more touching movie than that.
4. My choice of music depends on where I am and in what mood [I am]. When I'm in my room, I listen to slow music. In the stadium, you want something like hip-hop, which keeps you going.
5. My favourite gadget is my mobile phone. It is something that's always with me.
6. My mantra in life is to enjoy whatever you do and make sure at the end of the day when you look in the mirror you know you've done your best.
7. My idol is Sachin Tendulkar.
8. I can't do without my family
9. Style for me is keeping it simple, and don't overdo it. I firmly believe the simpler you dress, the more charming you look.
10. I have lots of good friends in cricket – guys like Praveen Kumar, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and of course, Yuvraj Singh.
11. The toughest bowler I've faced so far is Brett Lee, for a bunch of reasons. When I went to Australia for the first time, in 2008, he was at his peak. It was really difficult to score off him. He hardly bowled a loose ball, and you had to find ways to get runs off him.
12. My favourite non-cricketing sportsperson is Roger Federer. I like simplicity, and from whatever I've seen of Federer on TV, I find him to be a very simple man. I like the way he conducts him game and I've heard he's a very humble person as well.
13. I have quite a few memorable cricketing moments. The World Twenty20 win in 2007 was special. The CB series win in Australia in 2008 was also memorable because there were a lot of youngsters in the team and we had to put up a good show to beat a team like Australia.
14. I've had an embarrassing moment on the field and I'm quite shy to speak about it. I was fielding at long-on in my international debut game in Ireland. I had to jump and slide to stop a ball and my pants rolled down. It was very embarrassing because there were a lot of people in the crowd behind me who laughed and also took pictures.
15. If I weren't a cricketer, I'd be a regular freshly-graduated guy looking out for a nice little job.
16. I don't have a particular favourite shot. I love all my shots.
17. My dream vehicle is the Aston Martin.
18. If I could have one super power, I'd want to have the power of the Hulk, so that I can hit every ball for a six.
19. If I were invisible for a day, I'd travel to as many places as I could
20. My message to the IPL opponents is watch out for me. I'll come hard at you.


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On this Monday morning, as I stare at my never-ending to-do list, I am completely inspired by these colorful monogrammed napkins (found via A Touch of Lace). Always a fan of a classic monogram, I love how they look updated with their bold colors. I think they would make a charming addition to my summer dinner table, and would make a fabulous gift as well!
How do you infuse monograms into your home or parties?


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Welcome to Hotel Amburgo
For info or Booking: email@example.com
Welcome to Hotel Amburgo, a real gem located in a quiet area, very close to the splendid beach and only 150 m away from the renovated centre of Bibione.
A warm and relaxing atmosphere combined with the friendliness of our staff will make you feel at home.
The Hotel features comfortable and nicely fitted rooms, TV lounge, reading room, bar, restaurant, elevator, swimming pool with solarium terrace, jacuzzi hot tub, sauna and private car parking.
The beach equipment is included for our guests and consists of a beach umbrella, a sun lounger and a deckchair. Let yourself be pampered by our solicitous and precise service. We will be glad to welcome you at Hotel Amburgo and help you have an unforgettable holiday dedicated to your well-being, relaxation and entertainment.
Room "MIMOSA"
Area: 14 m2 – 2/4 person
Double room with 3 bed or bunk bed.
Family Room "DAISY"
Area: 28 m2 – 4/5 person
Formed by 2 communicating rooms.
Junior Suite "IRIS"
Area: 22 m2 – 3/4 person
Double room and Single room with communicating dor.
Room "Rosa"
Area: 13 m2 – 2 person
For info or Booking
Hotel Amburgo
Via Venere, 19
30020 – Bibione (Ve) – Italy
Ph: +39 0431 43441
Fax: +39 0431 439331
GSM: +39 347 6512458 (Barbara)


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A 7-year-old won the Lincoln Jamboree talent show, open to all ages, in July.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the LaRue County Herald, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
If you are new to the award winning LaRue County Herald and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.
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text: This well-behaved Stonecrop species is an excellent edging or rock garden plant, particularly for hot, dry sites with poor soil. This unique variety forms a low spreading mound of milk-chocolate, succulent, needle-like leaves that change to dazzling red with the onset of cooler temperatures in fall. Yellow flowers appear in summer and continue into early fall. Gorgeous year round. Reliable if provided with adequate drainage. Also well-suited for growing in tubs and alpine trough gardens. A good candidate for any collection of fine alpine plants.


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Only particularly fine looking women with hot bodies are considered babes. These include well known pornstars that make a living fucking and amateurs that are gorgeous. Tits and asses of all types are included here and the ladies all exude the sort of lustiness that men love.
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Sybian Porn video collection
Sybian is a masturbation device designed primarily for women. It's half cylinder design purposefully looks like a saddle and has a dildo on top for the lady to slide into her vagina and ride.
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Top notch collection of real amateur porn videos with Kim Kardashian look alike females, big booty females in the mood to pose when shaking huge inches of dick into their wet vags or asses. The Kim Kardashian fans most wanted porn collection of related videos, fully available and daily updated.
Kim Kardashian


text: Pee-Wee Herman Going On Another Big AdventureMargaret Hartmann7/01/10 9:20amFiled to: Secret wordNew Pee-Wee Herman MovieJudd ApatowPee Wee HermanPee weePaul Reubens93EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalinkJudd Apatow has announced he's developing a new Pee-wee Herman movie because, "Let's face it, the world needs more Pee-wee Herman." Paul Reubens and Paul Rust are co-writing the script, which focuses on "a gigantic adventure." [Variety via AICN]Reply93 repliesLeave a reply


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Pearls and crystals come together in a delicate design. Wear together for a perfectly accessorized look or separately for something simple and elegant!
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Our MissionTo provide a hot nutritious meal to anyone who has difficulty shopping for food or cooking meals, regardless of income. Our primary service is to senior citizens, but we can assist others in special circumstances. |
Contact us 245 E. McMurray Road, Suite1, McMurray, PA 15317 Phone 724-969-1000 between 7 AM and 2 PM any weekday. You may leave messages on the answering machine at other times. Click Here to Send e-Mail |


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Roast Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary and Rosemary and Onion Sauce
This recipe for roast lamb can be served with gravy or Rosemary and Onion Sauce, which is also good with lamb chops, or served with bangers and mash.
This recipe is from Delia's Complete How to Cook. Serves 6-8
- method
- Ingredients
Begin by making about 24 small, deep cuts in the skin of the lamb using a small, sharp knife.
Then push a sliver of garlic, followed by a small sprig of rosemary, into each cut, and season the meat generously with salt and freshly milled black pepper.
Next, cut the onion in half and place it in the bottom of the roasting tin, then transfer the lamb to the tin to sit on top of the onion halves.
Cover the tin loosely with foil, then cook in the oven on a high shelf for 1½ hours. After this, take the foil off and let it cook for another 30 minutes.
Remove the lamb from the oven, cover loosely with foil again and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the Rosemary and Onion Sauce.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and cook the onions over a very gentle heat for about 5 minutes – it's important not to let them colour, so keep an eye on them.
While that's happening, bruise the rosemary leaves with a pestle and mortar to release their oil, then chop them very, very finely and add them to the onion.
Then continue to cook as gently as possible for a further 15 minutes, again, without letting the onions colour too much.
Next, using a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the onions and their buttery juices till smooth, then gradually add the milk, a little at a time, still stirring, followed by the stock, bit by bit, whilst vigorously whisking with a balloon whisk.
Now taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper and let it barely simmer on the lowest possible heat for 5 minutes.
Next, remove it from the heat, then liquidise or process half of it, then return it to the saucepan to join the other half.
Then re-heat gently, add the crème fraîche and pour it into a warmed serving jug.
This recipe makes about 1 pint (570 ml) sauce.


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Episilk™ PHA Serum is an intensely hydrating serum that rejuvenates skin from the inside out. It improves the tone and appearance of skin by enhancing the skin's ability to retain moisture. Its light, non-oily texture soothes skin leaving it fresh and soft while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. PHA Serum renews your skin's suppleness and elasticity.
50% of the HA found in the body is found in the skin layers of the dermis and epidermis. HA keeps skin hydrated and provides nourishment. With age, the ability of the skin to produce HA decreases leaving the skin unhealthy and wrinkled. HA has been shown when topically applied, keeps skin hydrated and wrinkle-free. HA is the subject of a great deal of research because of it's amazing properties to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. More about How Hyaluronic Acid Benefits the Human Body.
Apply twice a day to wet face or put a small amount on the back or side of your hand, and mix with an equal amount of water. These serums are very concentrated and adding a very small amount of water will help activate them for best results. Apply to the areas you desire to see results according to the serum you choose!
Is Episilk PHA serum natural?
Yes it is. Hyaluronic acid, is a natural ingrediant.
Can i use this with my other skin care products?
Yes. Episilk PHA serum can be used with any skin care products.
Because it is an acid, will it burn my skin?
Hyaluronic acid is often called an acid and this is a misnomer. Hyaluronic acid as a sodium salt (sodium hyaluronate). Episilk PHA will have a neutral pH measurement not an acidic. Because of the water retention capacity of hyaluronic acid, it is actually very good for skin health.


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Windy City Stars Baseball Club - Copyright 2011 |
The Windy City Stars baseball club is a 17 and older Semi-Pro/Amateur baseball team affiliated with the AABC, NSPBA, and NABF. The Stars span the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs with the main objective of bringing a high quality and caliber brand of baseball to the Chicago land area. Our goal is to house and develop players during or after their high school, college, or professional careers. We only use wooden bats; however composites are allowed. Most games take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with weekday games sprinkled about. Our organization begins indoor athletic training at Line Drive Baseball Academy after the fall season (August-October) has wrapped up, eventually leading into the regular season (April-August). More information coming soon. |
The Windy City Stars |
Formerly the Windy City Devils |
SSWBL is looking for good umpires. Earn top pay in a well organized league. Contact Jeff @ 708-557-7902 |


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Weight gain in pregnancy
One thing is for certain: you're going to gain some weight when you are pregnant. For some women this can be a blessed relief, taking it as an excuse to eat what they want, playing the old 'eating for two' card. Others may find the weight gain alarming and feel out of control of their bodies.
Whichever way you feel about it, weight gain is necessary during pregnancy to help your baby grow and your body will store more fat than usual in preparation for being able to produce milk to feed your baby after birth.
How much weight gain can you expect?
There are many factors that will determine how much weight you will put on during pregnancy - your pre-pregnancy weight, the amount you eat and your genetic make-up being some of them.
According to NHS Choices, most women put on between 8kg to 14kg (17.5lb to 30lb) and most of this is after week 20. About a third of this will be your baby, placenta and the amniotic fluid surrounding your baby. The rest of the weight gain will be:
- Your boobs, alone can put on over 1kg (3lbs) as they prepare for breastfeeding
- Blood volume
- Extra fluid in the body
- An increase in the muscle layer of the uterus
- Increased fat stores.
What happens if you are overweight or underweight during pregnancy?
Being underweight or overweight can be harmful to the development of your baby. Women who are malnourished before they become pregnant are more prone to miscarriage, premature birth or having babies with a low birth-weight.
Those who are overweight before they get pregnant run the risk of complications such as:
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Having a larger baby
The NHS says if women who are the recommended weight for their height before they're pregnant gain between 10 and 12.5kg (22-28lb) they'll have a lower risk of complications. If you were underweight before, with a BMI less than 18.5 you should put on a bit more (13kg–18kg) and if you are overweight (BMI 25–29.9), put on a little less (7Kg–11kg). Obese women (BMI more than 30) should only put on 5kg–9kg.
You should put on weight steadily throughout your pregnancy and rapid weight gain can signify a problem such as pre-eclampsia. It used to be that women were weighed at every antenatal appointment but this is unlikely to happen now, your midwife will measure your bump though and keep an eye out for any unusual weight gain.
Your midwife or GP will be able to give you advice if you are either underweight or overweight. Try to eat sensibly and healthily and on no account try to lose weight when you're pregnant.
How you can control your weight in pregnancy
The best thing to do is to eat sensibly choosing a good selection of fresh healthy foods. You know the sort of thing: fruit, veg, carbs, protein, lean meats, fish and not too much red meat, sugars and excessively fatty or over-processed foods.
Try to stay active, drink lots of water and take cues from your body about when and how much to eat. As a rough guide you should aim to take in about 2,000 calories a day with an extra 200 in the last trimester.
The eating for two thing, while being a good excuse to indulge, should really be discarded. You need to eat a bit more, yes, but don't go mad.
Most women lose about two-thirds of the weight they have put on within a month of giving birth but the rest can be difficult to shift post-pregnancy and can cause self esteem and confidence issues. Some women find it easier to lose weight when they stop breastfeeding. Try to lay off the empty calories and be sensible in your approach to food and choose the best building blocks to create your baby.
What Mumsnetters say about weight gain during pregnancy
- I don't know anyone who only managed to put on a mere 2 stone. I put on at least four. I just think some of us are destined to put on more weight and there really isn't that much you can do about it. aloha
- I thought I would feel beautiful - I just felt really, really fat. Mind you, I've had an issue most of my life with weight (even though I am now at a healthy weight) so for me it was a very psychological battle. SittingBull
- I was constantly hungry when pregnant with my son and although I ate healthy foods and snacked on raw veg etc I gained 4 stone. I gave up reading the 'what you should have gained by now' guidelines as I found it can vary so much from woman to woman and my son turned out just fine. PussinJimmyChoos
- I've found the weight doesn't go on uniformly like the charts suggest - it doesn't have to be 70% in the second half of pregnancy. You'll know if you're eating well (and as far as I'm concerned that does include a compulsory cake each day). Remember a lot of that weight is in your breasts and for me that was a bonus. Ninja
- I'm a large lady and was a bit concerned - I'd put on close to a stone by 20 weeks and another 4lb by 30 weeks. But I have not been weighed at any appointments and if the professionals aren't worried, I'm not going to get hung up on it. AliP
- Judging by my jeans, a lot of the weight is in my thighs! Monkey
- Chat about your pregnancy weight gain
- Mumsnet exclusive discounts on maternity wear and baby gear
- Nursery product reviews
Image: Shutterstock
Last updated: about 2 months ago