Ribbons and bows make fancies, not throws

 

RIBBONS AND BOWS – for the 2021 Holiday Photography Challenge (See sidebar for full list.).

 

So I guess people exchange holiday gifts in the strangest of places – even shopping mall parking lots, if this tossed bow offers any indication. There it was, discarded on the pavement. Zoom out, and you’ll probably find a trashed face-mask and a couple of plastic spear toothpicks.

 

 Christmas is the season of giving, so let’s give the environment a break, while we’re at it!

 

Image/s: Personal photo/s. All rights reserved.

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X is for eXasperated with toxic grocery sorting

 OK, this is it. I think I’m done shopping at Sentry Foods.

At least, in our town.

I just lugged a half-dozen bags into my kitchen and began unpacking my groceries. Guess what I found, all in one bag?

• One package of fresh ground beef
• One package of raw stir-fry beef strips
• One large container of vanilla yogurt
• One package of lettuce shreds
• One multi-pack of raisins

All in the same bag!

In fact, one of the meat packages was a little drippy.

Can you say, “E. coli”? How about “Listeria” or “Salmonella”?

This is not the first time this has happened at the same Sentry Foods store.

Yeah, I know. I should have been paying better attention, instead of answering my phone, rummaging through my purse for my checkbook, and unhooking my keys from my purse strap. But I did load the items on the conveyor intentionally, with a huge space separating the raw meats from the rest of my grocery items.

Silly me, assuming the checkout clerk would catch the point and bag the raw meat separately.

This is not the first time I’ve found Sentry checkers stacking raw meats in the same bags as non-cooking items.

About three months ago, I even wrote to the corporate office at Sentry Foods, informing them that I had found raw chicken and ground beef packed in the same grocery bag as fresh strawberries, Wheat Thins crackers, and a package of hot dog buns.

No response.

Yep, I think we are pretty much done with Sentry. It’s not the only show in town. And the baggers at Pick ‘N Save and WalMart know how to sort groceries for packing.

Sure, it’s great to conserve resources and use fewer bags. But it’s downright dangerous to pack uncooked meats with items customers will not be cooking at all.

Now, if anyone in my family suffers from food poisoning tonight, I’m calling the checker.

By the way, her name is Mary, according to the receipt.

 Image/s:

Supermarket by CKForic - StockXchng Photos

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G is for Gross Gum

Gack! Is that gum?

Gum is gross. It goes in the garbage. OK, it’s fun to chomp and chew on a big wad of gooey gum. Chewing gum can help calorie counters to stave off snack cravings. Bubble-blowing can be a great way to pass the time in a boring study hall or a rush hour traffic jam. So what, if gum chewing destroys braces and bridgework - and may even cause extra facial wrinkles.

But c’mon now!

Earlier today, I climbed out of my car at the drug store and stepped in a giant glob of you-guessed-it. Oh, not happy!

Grrrrr.

Know why lots of schools prohibit gum chewing? It’s not because of kids cracking and popping their favorite flavors in class. It’s not even because of the germs conveyed by sticky hands that have tugged and pulled on bubbly bundles.

You can bet that schools ban gum because custodians find it stuck to chairs, desks, floors, railings, bleachers, sidewalks, goal nets, and all sorts of other surfaces.

Gee, when I was in school, a kid was nicknamed Gumby. Know why? He used to stick his gum to the bottom of his locker shelf, so he could pop it into his mouth again between classes.

And did you ever find gum in the laundry, after someone left a piece in a pocket. Trust me. You don’t wanna know.

Get rid of that gum, would ya?

Please, don’t just toss it in the trash. Wrap it up in a tissue or something. We don’t wanna find it again later.

Image/s:

Gum-Puller by Helga Weber 

PhotoPin

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Y is for Yardwork

Yowie! Spring yard chores are calling. Bulb flowers are blooming. Perennials are popping up all over, and it’s almost time to plant those annuals. And what about those weeds?

Is your yard ready for the spring season?

Check out these helpful gardening and landscaping tips, published by a virtual neighborhood of web writers. 

Safety Tips for Yard Work – Tammy Lee Morris

Don't be a doofus! Play it safe while doing work in your yard. Don't wear flip flops while using the weed trimmer. Here are some more helpful yard-work safety tips.

Neighborhood Yard Contest: Keeping Your Lawn and House Presentable – Bridget Ilene Delaney

During the months of enjoyable weather, people who enjoy gardening may like to have and enter neighborhood yard contests. Here are tips on what needs to be done in order to meet the judges' criteria for a good lawn.

Build a Rock Stream in Your Yard for Beauty and Weed Control – Don Simkovich

River rocks, laid out in an attractive pattern, can enhance a front yard and act as a barrier to the spread of weeds.

Five Cheap Springtime Yard Projects – Emma Salk

Tired of looking at the same ol' boring yard? Wish you had the money to spruce it up but there's simply no sign of that on the horizon? You don't have to have a lot of money to create new and exciting things for your yard!

Gardening: Cultivating to Control Weeds – Linda Ann Nickerson

Planning for flowerbeds and other landscaping can pay off in the long run. Cultivating your garden areas in advance will provide ideal environments for your flowers, vegetables, shrubs and other desirable vegetation.

Easy Ways to Bring Spring to Your Yard – Amy Brantley

A few simple landscaping tips will transform your yard from average to beautiful. Not only are these tips easy, but they are very relaxing as well. So what are you waiting for? Help bring spring to your yard this year.

Why Do Middle Aged Men Wear Black Socks and Shorts While Mowing the Yard? – Rodney Southern

Why do middle aged men wear black socks and shorts while mowing their yard? This question is one that has puzzled wives, sons, and daughters for decades.

Gardening with Children: Growing Green Thumbs – Linda Ann Nickerson

Where does a love of gardening begin? Kids love bright flowers, and they adore digging in dirt! Who knows what they might find living under the dirt in a planting bed or window-box? Hands-on practice can sow seeds of interest that last a lifetime.

Landscaping Ideas for a Very Small Yard – Crystal Ray

The following ideas for landscaping a very small yard will help you create an outdoor haven where you'll be able to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Grab your garden gloves and a trowel, and dig into spring gardening!

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Last year’s A to Z post: Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

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Image/s:

Bei der Gartenarbeit.

1929

Public Domain/Wikipedia Commons Photos

2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge logo

Fair Use

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Make Memorial Day picnics more memorable

Make Memorial Day picnics more memorable

How can you make your Memorial Day picnic more memorable and magnificent?

Here are several pointers from a variety of practical online writers, who happen to be friends or colleagues. Check 'em out!

Pack up picnic provisions!

Green Living Guide: Picnics with Potential

By Linda Ann Nickerson

Everyone is going green. An eco-friendly picnic offers an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors ecologically. Green living means leaving the environment even cleaner than you found it. Here's a green living guide to having a great green eco-friendly picnic.

Healthy Memorial Day Side Dishes

By Pam Gaulin

Memorial Day kicks off the beginning of summer in a tasty way.

Perfect Picnic Recipe for Memorial Day

By Jen Butera

Memorial Day weekend is approaching, and it's time to think about the big barbeque. Why not think outside the grill? This recipe allows you to have your dish ready while the grill enthusiasts hover over hot flames.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Homemade BBQ Sauce

By Sara Evans

If Pulled Pork Sandwiches are on the menu at your home, a tailgating party, family reunion or picnic by the lake, this Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is easy to do and will taste great.

The Wonderful World of Watermelon

By Kathy Browning

'Tis the season for watermelon; the bright red, sweet, and juicy fruit of summer. While there's nothing better than slicing off a chunk and eating it straight from the rind, this fruit is incredibly versatile and even offers its own serving vessel.

Make your own Memorial Day picnic decorations.

3 Easy Ways to Make Patriotic Luminaries

By Becca Swanson

Glass jars make perfect candle luminaries - here's 3 ways to decorate them with the red, white and blue.

Simple Patriotic Pinwheel and Yummy Red White and Blue Necklace Crafts

By Karen Nelson

Easy to make crafts for kids to make with just a little help from adults sure to be a hit. Patriotic Pinwheel can be waved at a parade or used to line the parade route. Red, White, and Blue necklace is a delicious a treat for parade or picnic goers.

May Memorial Day be extra memorable, as you mark the occasion this year.

Artwork:  Picnic photo by Click (MorgueFile)

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