Plants are so amazing to me, but I'm especially tickled by the brassica family - humans have loved this genus of plants for so long that we can get everything from spices to leafy greens to edible florets (broccoli) from them. They will also crosspollinate like crazy, which is how we got things like broccolini & (iirc) Napa cabbage.

Another slutty, slutty genus is the citrus family, who will hybridize with anything and everything. This genus started out in a tiny area in the Himalayas, and are worldwide now. Wild.

Parsnip really is related to parsley? That's astounding! My mind is blown.

Catnip was allegedly named after the Roman town of Nepi.

Turnip comes from the Greek nâpu and the Latin napus, meaning mustard.

Yessssssss, this is exactly the sort of insight I was hoping would float back to me with minimal effort on my part. Thank you!

Another slutty, slutty genus is the citrus family, who will hybridize with anything and everything. This genus started out in a tiny area in the Himalayas, and are worldwide now. Wild.

I love my acidic whore fruits.

I have nothing to add to the veggie/fruit discussion. Oh except animal rehab center I follow on FB has a bobcat that loves turnips. The bobcat can't live in the wild anymore. And has an affinity for turnips so they keep him supplied. I think he plays with them instead of eating them.

Good news at work...the restroom renovations are done! The restrooms look nice! There was much rejoicing, literal rejoicing. Bad news no word on who the new manager is and they were supposed to tell us today but of the 2 things everyone is fine with the outcome. We will find out soon enough. In the meantime we have an actual restroom to use.

Best news is my shoulder is so much better. I still need to see the Dr about my shoulder and the pre existing issue but I am not in pain and I can move my arm petty freely. Yay.

Also M got his bill form the ER. Well he got one confusing bill which was less than $300, but apparently that was the payment due for the bill of around $3000. But the VA is supposed to help with that he has to do something online which I will help him with. He also got info about increasing his payments so we are going to look at that. Last week I was talking to a coworker whose husband is also a disabled Vet and she gave me the info about he lawyer they used . I'm going to encourage M to at least meet with the lawyer once about this. Because my coworker said they ended up getting a lot more money and help than they thought they could get.

My cat once repeatedly dipped her paw into my celery root soup and licked it right off. Catnip is not related to celery. Watching a cat eat soup is fascinating. It was in a mug, so she had to dip and lick instead of lapping. Only non-meat human food I've ever witnessed her eating. It was good soup.

Definitely good to follow up and make sure that the VA disability percentage is as high as he’s eligible for. Can make a big difference. I’m glad your shoulder is feeling better.

Lexington, Michigan it turns out is a stone’s throw from my mom’s hometown on Lake Huron, Sarnia. OK, a very long throw across an international border. But close!

Timelies all!

We are planning to go to the MD Renaissance Festival on Sunday. Friends of ours who have a daughter near Mr. S's age let us know they would be going that day, so we are too. Weather forecast says partly sunny and in the 70s, which is great weather for this.

Waves weakly from Otter Lake. I've been in Covid brain fog all week so reading or focusing hasn't been fun. I've been banished to my upstairs bedroom to keep away from Brendon. Maybe he has escaped it. I want him to test today. I am feeling better and slept well last night. Sending love and ~ma as needed.

eta: I wasn't super sick, no fever, just a snot factory with coughing and serious brain fog. It is the height of unfairness to not be able to read when sick in bed, but it was just words that weren't sinking in. The last couple days I was able to read again which is glorious.

Ooh, is it time to share my favorite brassica meme again?

MD RenFest!!

I've come to love the NY Faire, but after 20 years I still quote the Reduced Shakespeare Company at the drop of a hat.