WHEN DID I GET LEFT BEHIND?

 In my generation, May l, May Day, was always celebrated with springtime fun activities like "dancing around the Maypole", picnics and paper baskets made at school, filled with candy or flowers and secretly hung on a neighbor's or best friend's door.

In some countries it was and still is celebrated to honor the workers.

 Mayday first came into England in 1923 as a distress signal.  There was heavy traffic between England and France.  It was decided that the international S-O-S in Morse Code was great for ships at sea, but aircraft used radio, not telegraph.  A short, easily understood word that couldn't be mistaken for something else was needed.  Henceforth, Mayday was adopted as the international distress signal.

Being familiar with the above histories I grew up with you can imagine my befuddlement when I  read a news release from the media dept. of a garden product that marked May 1 as a celebration for "Naked Gardening Day".  The company compared the 100 biggest U.S. cities across nine key metrics and came up with a list of the 10 Best Cities for Naked Gardening and the 10 Worst Cities for Naked Gardening.  On the best list Miami ranked as No.1, Seattle at No. 3, and Portland at No. 5.  The worst cities ranked Lincoln, NE as No.100 with Reno, Detroit, and Boise as being "un-bare-ably cold".

I think the pandemic has had strange effects on us in more ways than we ever dreamed of.  I can't help but wonder about the current state of gardening.

In April I also received an email to review and interview the author of "Diet for Great Sex".  The subject line was "How gardening can help your love life (and mental health), from the inside out".  

Rather than go through the formality of an interview, I will share some of the contents of the email.  Lots of good information presented in a slightly different format.

The author is Christine DeLozier, L.Ac.  De Lozier is an acupuncturist and herbalist.

The list consists of garden vegetables we can grow, as well as the berries.

Blackberries and Raspberries:  Berries are high in vitamin C, which improves prolactin release, vascular function, and increases oxytocin.

Bell Peppers:  One bell pepper has up to 169% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.  Vitamin C rapidly improves mood, according to research.  Bell peppers have lots of other vitamins and minerals, including potassium.

Cabbage:  Cabbage is high in sulphuric compounds which are shown to be anti-inflammatory, and to protect nerves.  They are also high in vitamin C and antioxidant polyhenols.  A bonus for men: The phytonutrients in cabbage have been shown in research to potentially increase virility!

Cucumbers:  Cucumbers are high in phytonutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium and potassium.

Garlic:  Garlic has been shown in research to be anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.  It may also act as an aphrodisiac, leading many to rethink their habit of avoiding garlic on dates!

Tomatoes:   Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant that speeds nerve conduction.  This directly equates to more sensory pleasures.

Zucchini and Squash:  Squash and zucchini are both high in potassium, which is seriously lacking in the American diet.  Potassium luxuriates the delicate lining of blood vessels and improves nitric oxide release.  This can come in handy in the bedroom, as well as everywhere else in your life.

It's a nutritional fact that we need to eat more vegetables and less carbs, maybe this book will be the motivation to eat your veggies.

Be sure to listen to the Gardening: Get Good at It "Low Water, High Impact Perennials" segment on Tues May 18, 2021 on KPOV 88.9 FM between 9-9:30 am.

The on-line COMGA Plant Sale details will be available May 10. (www.gocomga.com/gardening-news) Read the list, place your order and choose your pick-up time.  Much easier than standing in line!