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In 1997 California use to provide 90% of the avocados consumed in the US. Today, as the result of changes implemented as part of NAFTA, Mexico provides 80% of a much larger avocado consumption in the U.S. The avocado trade high prices and high profit margins have attracted the interest of the Mexicans crime cartels. A major disruption of this market could have a major negative effect on the American consumer as briefly shown during the U.S. Department of Agriculture ban of avocado imports from Mexico on February this year Read more

I am full of excitement, when I think of you,
and about all of the wonderful things which
happened to us during this life's fling.
You were the one person who I felt good
to be with. You gave me courage, when
I needed it most. Raising our children, you
did mostly alone, as I was travelling
during the week. I am so proud of the
children you raised, when I was only home
on the weekends.
Now it's my turn to take care of you.
I will visit you every day, to provide
the love and support you need.
I understand your desire, to always have
me near, knowing the Dementia, feeds
your fear.
I love you and will always say, I am
your servant and your husband.

When I write out these words
what do you see?
Do I explain to you
what is bothering me?
I don't wish to whine
but I will share the grief,
when I write words about
Dementia, the memory thief.

Westerly the wind,
a noted Chinook.
Warming the air,
promoting growth
of flowers and shrubs,
to brighten the Spring
and bring joy, is
what we need now.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

A mere 46 million light-years distant, spiral galaxy NGC 2841 can be found in the northern constellation of Ursa Major. This deep view of the gorgeous island universe was captured during 32 clear nights in November, December 2021 and January 2022. It shows off a striking yellow nucleus, galactic disk, and faint outer regions. Dust lanes, small star-forming regions, and young star clusters are embedded in the patchy, tightly wound spiral arms. In contrast, many other spirals exhibit grand, sweeping arms with large star-forming regions. NGC 2841 has a diameter of over 150,000 light-years, even larger than our own Milky Way. X-ray images suggest that resulting winds and stellar explosions create plumes of hot gas extending into a halo around NGC 2841.

Photo by Vitali Pelenjow

A simple to make Po Boy Sandwich with fried shrimp, shredded lettuce, tomato and homemade remoulade sauce (a Cajun version of the classic French mayo-mustard sauce) Click to read the recipe

She stood tall,
a sight to see,
dressed in black,
down to her knees.
Her legs were long,
hips narrow and true,
an hourglass figure.
My sight grew dim,
the Raven black hair,
coifed into a bun.
Then I would know,
she must be the one
to help me regain,
missing things in my life,
as she embodied,
everything good
and even more,
when words were written,
about the woman, Lenore.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What's happened to our Sun? Last month, it produced the largest prominence ever imaged together with a complete solar disk. The record image, featured, was captured in ultraviolet light by the Sun-orbiting Solar Orbiter spacecraft. A quiescent solar prominence is a cloud of hot gas held above the Sun's surface by the Sun's magnetic field. This solar prominence was huge -- spanning a length rivaling the diameter of the Sun itself. Solar prominences may erupt unpredictably and expel hot gas into the Solar System via a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). When a CME strikes the Earth and its magnetosphere, bright auroras may occur. This prominence did produce a CME, but it was directed well away from the Earth. Although surely related to the Sun's changing magnetic field, the energy mechanism that creates and sustains a solar prominence remains a topic of research.

Wow, he says,
as his car is
in for 61,000 miles
service, cost, $800.
A leaking radiator
and valve cover,
thermostat, turns
into an additional
$1,200. Service.
They did cover my
rental of 5 days.
Realistically, the
1997 Honda, has
few miles and is
25 years old, so
a cost of $45 per
year is not a bad
thing, in my opinion.

If you don't know me,
it may be better for you,
as I can be eccentric,
if I am talking to who
ever will listen to hear
my sad tale. I have a few.

I'm here in the morning,
before the sunrise.
A new day of living,
another day's surprise.
New friends to meet,
with a new guise,
I suppose it will happen,
and will see with my eyes.
There is still joy today,
if you search and are wise.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

This poem is in the public domain.

William Ernest Henley (1849 – 1903) British poet, writer, critic and editor in late Victorian England. He wrote several books of poetry. Read more