Playground Limited

Playground Limited  

I cannot understand the reason of imitating the natural world cum attractions, in lieu of outdoor and on-the-spot experience that promotes reverence for life and the environment.

 Dr Abe V Rotor 

 Artificial playground in a mall, 2015

I cannot smell the earth under my feet, neither the freshness of grass nor the fragrance of  flowers with bees and butterflies hovering, fluttering and alighting for brief rest;

I cannot see birds around; I mistake their songs for whistles and whirls of machines and toys; the singing of cicada, cooing of doves, fiddling of crickets are buried in noise;

I cannot feel the softness of grass, soothing to tired feet, the presence of plants, quivering of their leaves with the slightest touch, towering trees that lead my eyes to heaven;

I cannot hear water moving downstream among rocks, hissing of a waterfall, stream  settling down in peace and quiet, calming frayed nerves and tired muscles; 

I cannot imagine how grownups and children are united in an artificial ambiance, by time limited by toll, off limit signs, warnings and many rules that limit freedom and choice; 

I cannot imagine animals in their stuffed replicas being treated by kids in different ways, consciously or otherwise, if such attitude applies to growing up in a natural world;   

I cannot relate beautiful experiences with Nature, richness of imagination, logical thoughts and inferences where the playground is a patchwork lacking contiguity and goal;    

I cannot hear thunder in the distance that bring in life-givng rain that nourishes the forests, pastures and fields, that signals the kids playing to pack up and go home; 

 

I cannot understand the reason of imitating the natural world cum attractions, in lieu of  outdoor and on-the-spot experience that promotes reverence for life and the environment. 

 
Transforms  -  artificial replicas for study. Do these contribute 
to growing up in a natural world?  

The Saddest Goodbye

An extremely pathetic family picture.
Dr Abe V Rotor

The years, the years ahead cut at its trunk,
slowly what remains of its stump
and roots starve and die. 
I am dying, father.

Years back, those happy years behind,
are memories that shall linger on -
if only forgetting is easy -
I am dying, father.

Mother, sister, my friends I wish you all
everything but the trap I fell in -
life the good life I failed,   
I am dying, father.

My world then, my world now,
the walls, now the last hour -
Live happy I never lived
I am dying, father .

I see stained hands cupped. I reach 
them and beg for forgiveness,
my cross, my own, 
dear Father. 

NOTE: I received this photo through my e-mail which I kept it for some time to think of what appropriate title and treatment I would give.  Finally this is the product of that incubation.

There are persons who are a favorite of mosquitoes.

There are persons who are a favorite of mosquitoes. 

 Dr Abe V Rotor

 

House mosquito (Culex) 

Here are their qualifications.  Please check if you belong to the group. 

• They don’t take a bath regularly.  
• They wear dark clothes, especially black.  
• Their body temperature is relatively higher. 
• Their rate of breathing is faster. 
• Their skin is relatively thin and tender.
• They love to stay in corners and poorly lighted places.
• And they are not protected by clothing, screen or off lotion. 

Of all these, it is the first that is most crucial.

Don't throw away rice hull or "ipa." Here are 5 practical uses.

Don't throw away rice hull or "ipa." 

Here are 5 practical uses.

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Living with Nature School on Blog

 Top: Cross-section of rice grain; closeup of grain.  Middle: Rice hull stove, building block of rice hull and clay. Bottom: rice hull as litter; newly built vegetable plots.  Acknowledgement: Google search, Wikipedia,  Internet  images
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Rice hull is the outer cover of the rice grain which comprises 25 percent of the total weight. The cover is made up of a pair of hull-shape structures - lemma and palea - which are tough and impregnated with silica and cellulose. Considered waste in rice producing areas, now there are uses which this article would like to share - and recommend.

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1. Rice hull ash protects mung-beans from bean weevil.

Burnt rice hull (ipa) contains silica crystals that are microscopic glass shards capable of penetrating into the conjunctiva of the bean weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus.  Once lodged, the crystal causes more damage as the insect moves and struggles, resulting in
infection and desiccation, and ultimately death.

This is the finding of Ethel Niña Catahan in her masteral thesis in biology at the University of Santo Tomas. Catahan tested two types of rice hull ash,  One is partly carbonized (black ash) and the other oven-burned (white ash).  Both were applied independently in very small amount as either mixed with the beans or as protectant placed at the mouth of the container. In both preparations and methods, mungbeans – and other beans and cereals, for that matter – can be stored for as long as six months without being destroyed by this Coleopterous insect. 

The bean weevil is a cosmopolitan insect whose grub lives inside the bean, eating the whole content and leaving only the seed cover at the end of its life cycle.  When it is about to emerge the female lays eggs for the next generation. Whole stocks of beans may be rendered unfit not only for human consumption, but for animal feeds as well.  It is because the insect leaves a characteristic odor that comes from the insect’s droppings and due to fungal growth that accompanies infestation

2. Preheated rice hull is used to incubate balot eggs.

Simulating the way the mother duck incubates its eggs old folks bury duck eggs in rice hull (ipa) heated under the sun until they become penoy (incipient embryo) or balot (full grown embryo). For commercial production the eggs are held in bundles made of simamay or fishnet), placed in large holding boxes filled with rice hull. They are harvested in batches to meet market schedules.    

3. Rice hull compost is good soil conditioner for the garden. 

Mix rice hull with other farm residues that are ordinarily used in making compost at varying proportions but not exceeding fifty percent of the total volume.  These include animal manure and chicken droppings, dried leaves, peanut "hay" or tops, scums (lumot, Azolla and Nostoc from ponds and rice fields). Add equal amount of top soil to the final product.  This is excellent medium for potted plants and for germinating seeds, bulbs, and cuttings. When buying commercial potted plants, examine the medium used; the rice hull is still partly visible.    

4. Rice hull as fuel 

There are stoves designed for rice hull as fuel. One has a continuous feeding system for commercial use, otherwise ipa is hand-fed for typical kitchen stoves. Rice hull has a high thermal value because it contains silica that increases temperature level. This means faster cooking. To make full use of this advantage, rice hull must first undergo thorough drying usually under the sun.  It is then stored in sack for ready use. With the spiraling cost of LPG and electricity - and the dwindling supply of firewood - rice hull as fuel  is the best alternative in rice-based areas. 

5. Rice hull as litter of livestock and poultry

To solve muddy animal sheds and corrals, spread rice hull for time to time. This is also good for range chicken, and holding pens of animals in the market. Rice hull binds the soil and other materials such as grass and rice hay. When the litter becomes thick and old, replace it with a fresh one. The old litter is a good fertilizer for the orchard and garden. ~

* Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class Monday to Friday

Happy Mother's Day!

"Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee Calls back the lovely April of her prime; So thou through windows of thine age shalt see, Despite of wrinkles, this thy golden time." - William Shakespeare.Dr Abe V Rotor

Mother is perhaps the most popular subject in all fields of endeavor and in all walks of life. It is one of the most powerful words, specially when used in personification, analogy, simile and  other figures of speech. It is used to describe both animate and inanimate objects, often putting "life" in an inanimate thing. Mother pertains to origin and everything has an origin - innate and immanent, and from the time of conception, be it biological, idea or thought. The meaning of mother is readily absorbed in the human mind without undue restraint it is closest to love itself.

Mother and daughter on graduation day

Of the definitions of a Mother I have chosen ten quotations from famous men and women whose success is undoubtedly traced to the greatest queen and ultimate image of Mother Earth.

But how little do we know the vast goodness, beauty and magnificence of a Mother! Lo, to us who only see them through a keyhole, and not have the key to unlock the door.

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
~William Goldsmith Brown (author)

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. ~Adabella Radici (author)

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving (author)

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln (US President)

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck (author)

The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men - from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes (philosopher, historian and author)

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac (philosopher)

My mom is a never ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty (actress)

Happy Mother's Day!

Try stone soup - “poor man’s delicacy.”

Try stone soup - “poor man’s delicacy.”
Dr Abe V Rotor
 Living with Nature - School on Blog [avrotor.blogspot.com]
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday [www.pbs.gov.ph]

Stone covered with green algae (lumot); microscopic structure of lumot (50x).

 This is one for the Book of Guinness.

Along the pristine shallow shores of the sea, lakes and rivers, you will find stones coated with living algae. Along coral reefs the algae growing on these stones are mainly Enteromorpha, and a host of juvenile seaweeds, while those in freshwater the dominant algae are Chlorella and Nostoc, all commonly called lumot. These are edible species listed in books in phycology, the study of algae.

Now there are two ways old folks prepare the soup from these algae-rich stones. The stones are roasted or charcoal or under low fire to bring out the aroma, and then dropped simmering in a waiting bowl of water complete with tomato, onion and a dash of salt.

The other method follows the traditional way of cooking of broth, with the addition of vegetables - and even fish or meat. The recipe is rich in calcium because of the calcareous nature of the stones, especially those gathered in coral reefs.

Try stone soup; it's good for the bones. And it's a good piece of friendly conversation. One summer I started a lecture at one o'clock in the afternoon with "Have you tried stone soup?"

Begging for a Seat in School: A friendly reminder for the new schoolyear

Dr Abe V Rotor

The school year will soon open.  We will be accompanying our children to their schools.  Relatives and friends too, will go back to school, maybe we ourselves are among them.  But not all can go to school, like this beggar boy, the infirmed, the very poor, or for whatever reason.  Thanks to Google for this blog.  Thanks to the outreach program of the University of Santo Tomas, Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (School-on-air) of DZRB 738 AM, thanks to our blog followers and viewers, and radio audience, for carrying out the Multiplier Effect.  Special thanks to Google and staff.
 

 A reproduction of an untitled painting by an unknown artist

A disturbing scene to Maslow -
could he have been wrong?
What is self-actualization
to the striving throng?

What's good is the Bastille trilogy -
pillars of modern society:
equality, fraternity,
liberty - sans dignity?

Motherhood words may come easy;
they cannot be mistaken,
for the lips that speak of promise
are easily forgotten.

And the world goes on as it seems;
a beggar boy, its conscience:
lost youth, lost hope, lost future
in the midst of affluence.

The door is jarred to full view
and knocking wouldn't lend an ear;
indifference makes man blind
or takes him to the rear.

He who feels for the needy
with but some coins is a fool,
in a world deaf to a poor boy
begging for a seat in school. ~

NOTE: A student of mine from Iran at the UST Graduate School left this reproduction as a souvenir. The painting was made by an unknown artist, apparently belonging to the post classicism at the dawn of realism. 

Double Portrait by a Three-year Old

Double Portrait by a Three-year Old 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Mackie 3 and Markus 1, by Mackie 2016

Let the very young express reality and imagery, 

            until a proto-masterpiece emerges,

it’s herself and her brother from a spring within,

            of early filial love and happiness.   

           

Early bloomers may be missed like passing wind;

     unless we grownups find what’s in store;

let's nurture them like saplings with sun and rain,

     and make up for our failure before.~ 

Stop at Nature on the Wall

 Stop at Nature on the Wall

Mural by Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Take time out, stop at Nature’s invitation,
real or in imagination;
Take time, let the world go by for a while,
in stride with a smile.