Dandelion recipe will prove she is real
No angst or anger here. l love Patrick Wolfe鈥檚 very funny comment in the 鈥淕reat Dandelion Debate.鈥�
To prove that the Times 91原创 has not 鈥渂een had鈥� and I do exist and Heidi Lamb is my real name, I am offering to send him a recipe to turn those pesky little weeds, of which he seems to have a continuous supply, into the most delicious wine.
Satisfied?
Heidi Lamb
Victoria
Dandelions have value in detoxification
Botanists consider dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) to be a herb and the use of the leaves, stem, flower and root have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
A simple internet search shows that some of the possible uses and benefits of dandelion include providing antioxidant properties (providing the dandelion has not been sprayed with chemicals), can reduce cholesterol, can regulate blood sugar, can reduce inflammation, can lower blood pressure, can aid in weight loss, can reduce cancer risk, can boost the immune system, can aid in digestion and can improve skin health.
Like all herbs, it鈥檚 important to consult a health professional before using it.
Mother Nature didn鈥檛 make junk. She knew what she was doing and all plants and herbs have a purpose. Dandelions have been used to also aid in detoxification.
However, with all the poisoning of the Earth with our chemicals and sprays, it鈥檚 important to use dandelions that have not been subjected to these toxins.
When I see a field of dandelions or even a few growing on lawns, I know they are trying to detox the soil and I am grateful for the service they are providing for all of us.
Lia Fraser
Victoria
Dandelion wine will cure the dissent
I have so enjoyed the 鈥淲ar of the Dandelions鈥� in letters to the Times 91原创.
It started with the dandelion hater/killer, then to a mom (Heidi Lamb) with the joy of a bouquet of sunshine to the tongue-in-cheek humour of Patrick Wolfe.
I鈥檒l take whatever joy I can find in these times of COVID. Hopefully I can make fast friends of Heidi and Patrick and we can make a batch of that old-fashioned dandelion wine (Nectar of the Gods) and deliver it to the hater and see if we can change their mind.
Otherwise we鈥檝e got the beginnings of one heck of a post-COVID party.
Patty Cushing
Victoria
Bike lane islands? A great spot to pee
This pandemic has not shut down a human need to relieve themselves. It鈥檚 strange that this topic even comes up.
We walk around the downtown core daily and regularly see someone peeing in a doorway, against a tree or just about anywhere you can imagine. Anyone for some 鈥渇reshly watered鈥� herbs from the sidewalk planters?
What鈥檚 needed downtown are more public restrooms, not fewer. Since many businesses have closed their facilities to the public during the pandemic, the choices for folks to 鈥済o鈥� are very limited.
Perhaps some micro-loos placed within the islands made by the bike lanes would make 鈥渟cents.鈥�
Go for it!
What a relief to get this off our chests.
Denis and Yolanda Corbett
Victoria
Watch for puddles in local stores
My local grocery store had a sign on its door that stated: Due to the international COVID-19 pandemic our washroom is closed.
I was tempted to create my own sign and sticky-tape it above their sign: Due to the international virus pandemic, please wash your hands frequently.
This is analogous to the man who is walking along with his pants around his ankles and his shirt around his throat and who replies, when criticized: 鈥淵ou weren鈥檛 at the committee meetings where the decisions were made that lead to these choices so you wouldn鈥檛 possibly understand the obvious logic.鈥�
When I see a puddle of water in the produce department, I am careful not to step in it. And doubly careful in all other departments.
Rick Kallstrom
Victoria
Learn from dogs to love and be loyal
I understand that not everyone is a dog lover, but to say there are too many is a little extreme.
They are a loving companion to many people young and old, a source of great happiness, fun and constant joy.
They are regarded as man鈥檚 best friend and I have found great comfort having my dog by my side during the past 14 months.
If humans had the same capacity to love and be loyal as much as dogs, then the world would be a much better place.
Nicola Robinson
Victoria
Your only excuse: You have hypoxia
I wish to caution regular users of Mount Douglas Park regarding health risks.
At the summit, 738 feet above sea level, the oxygen thins to the degree that hypoxia sets in.
One common effect is the inability to comprehend simple written instructions such as 鈥渁rea under reconstruction, do not enter鈥� or 鈥渦se designated trails only.鈥�
You may observe the suffering souls drooling as they drift off the north side of the summit to make their own personal thoroughfare to connect to the trails below, or pounding out a muddy shortcut between intersecting trails to save dragging their slouching frames an extra 25 feet.
You will cry with pity as you see them, totally disoriented, creating a new route up the west side of little Doug.
These are tragic scenes. But beyond the risk to the lives and limbs of these fine citizens, the irreparable damage to the wondrous environment must be considered.
It is clear that the mountain cannot survive this infestation of people wandering aimlessly in every possible direction.
In order to protect this most special area for the enjoyment of those of us who can climb the dizzying heights yet remain compos mentis, may I suggest these frail souls do not visit unless they bring a tank of supplemental oxygen. Or grow up.
Jerry Neudorf
Victoria
Tinkering with nails makes the job tougher
Recently I had occasion to visit two unrelated government offices for normal mundane matters. Both receptionist/attendants featured hand adornments.
One had an earring pierced through their fingernail. The other, brightly coloured nails at least a half inch or more in length.
In each case, the employees had difficulty using the tools made available to perform their work; namely a computer keyboard and a touchscreen monitor. In each case, errors and corrections were the result.
With the modern propensity of governments to have ministries of almost everything, is it time for a Minister of Common Sense? The two receptionists I encountered obviously didn鈥檛 have any.
Geoff Potter
Duncan
Victoria facts matter more than opinion
鈥淰iolent words for popular councillors,鈥� the letter-writer from Colwood claims 鈥� attacking my choice of words versus addressing the bigger issue. That is a common debate tactic for those who want to steer the narrative away from the facts.
It is a fact Mayor Lisa Helps and the Together Victoria voting bloc on council received a high percentage of votes in 2018. So what?
Stating they are popular as a result is merely an opinion.
Induced demand has led to violence. Fact.
Certain Victoria councillors have consistently supported encampments and question the need for public safety in parks. Fact.
Police, bylaw and city staff have stated there is increased violence due to encampments. Fact.
Listen to the city managers, listen to Police Chief Del Manak. They are afraid for their colleagues鈥� safety and have repeatedly and consistently linked violence to the encampments the Together Victoria councillors support.
Victoria residents are fed up with these 鈥減opular鈥� councillors. Solutions start when they (councillors with ties to Together Victoria) are no longer making policy decisions that result in residents being threatened and fearing for their safety.
My choice of words accurately described what I have read and hear daily from residents in and around Victoria parks.
Upon reflection, in plain English, perhaps I could have used 鈥渨iped out鈥� in place of 鈥渁nnihilated鈥� when referring to the next municipal election.
That way, the popular councillors and their Colwood supporters will not be offended with my violent words describing violent acts as a result of their ill-fated activist-driven polices. Just sayin鈥�.
Jeff Peters
Victoria
A stranger named Dave came to her rescue
I would like to send a shout-out to Dave, with a red pickup truck, who stopped to help me when I, a clumsy senior, fell off my bike.
He not only made sure I was OK, but hoisted my bike into the back of his truck and drove both me and my bike home. And then he went above and beyond when he came back today to return my helmet, which I had left in his truck.
Thank you again Dave, I鈥檓 so happy to have met you.
Anne Lofting
Victoria
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