Elizabeth Woodworth: The ants are marching. Here's how to get them turned around
The chances for frost now virtually disappear in the South and become relative insignificant throughout much of the North. The high leaf canopy begins filling in.
When parsnips are knee high and start to bloom, and the first indigo bunting arrives and when garlic mustard is blooming, and when early grasses go to seed, then Late Spring begins. (Hope so, since we never had early or middle spring.) The first cold front of Late Spring is due near the 28th, enhanced by the full moon.
The "Swarming Termite Moon" is full the evening of the 29th, increasing the risk of frost along and above the 40th Parallel and tornadoes in the South.
When soil temperatures have moved well into the 50s, that means that every kind of seed can be planted - including the sunflowers and soybeans. (Countryside)
April 26 is the 25th anniversary of Take Our Daughters to Work Day. What started in 1992 as an initiative created by Marie Wilson for the Ms. Foundation for Women (founded by Gloria Steinem), was expanded to include boys in 2003.
From 2-4 p.m. April 28 at the McKinley Avenue Baptist Church Family Live Center, join past and present members of the Saline County Homemakers in a celebration of our 100th anniversary. There will be a short program at 2:15 p.m. Pictures, scrapbooks, cookbooks and crafts will highlight Homemakers through our the years. Birthday cake will be served.
April 30 is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. My favorite pet, Daisy, was adopted from a shelter. Her parents had a medical emergency, so Kidlet and I were her caregivers for several days. Kidlet loved her; they would race up and down the church parking lot until both were panting. My job was to clean up and then take them in for lots of water and treats.
On May 6, the Homemakers chicken/dumpling dinner is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pruitt building. The cost is $8, for chicken with dumplings, slaw, green beans, roll and your choice of a Homemaker-made dessert.
I put the hummingbird feeder out. There was a rabbit under a rose bush when I went by, so I spoke to him. When I started in, he was still under the bush, nothing moving except his nose. So I talked to him some more. He never ran away, just looked as if to say, "Why are you messing with birds when my family needs peas and beans and lettuce?"
Small black ants in the bathroom. Not the tiny ones that usually appear on the kitchen cabinets, nor the giant ones that can carry off a peanut. I don't know where they are coming from, just a few now and again. At least they are not marching in two by two. The most I have seen at one time is three. Time to hunt up insecticide recipes.
Ant repellent: 2 cups Borax, 1 cup sugar (I use powered). Mix together. Sprinkle on ant trails, or place in small containers in places where you've seen ants. Be careful to keep away from small children and pets. I put just a dab on a piece of waxed paper and slip under a cabinet or radiator. It doesn't take much; ants don't eat a lot.
I keep some of the mixture in a labeled jar for use all year. The first sighting of a water bug or roach and more goes down. It works well and keeps a potential problem at bay.
For the tiny ants in the kitchen: Boil black walnut leaves, let steep 'til cool. Wash the counter tops with this solution. It will make them look dirty, but it will get rid of the ants. The residue washes off easily.
Bugs do not like cinnamon. Use the sticks in closets or cupboards where bugs like to hang out. Sprinkle a little powder on window sills and in doorways. Or, add a few drips of essential cinnamon oil (available at drugstores or kitchen supply houses) to water and spray cracks, corners or anywhere bugs enter the house.
In 1953, brothers F. Nephi and Golden Grigg, founders of Ore-Ida, invented Tater Tots as a profitable way to use leftover potato trimmings. 70 million is the estimated pounds of tots American gobble annually. If you have a small waffle iron, thaw a bag of tots. Preheat the iron to medium-high. Spray the iron. Spread with two cups potato, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Close, cook 5 minutes or until nearly crisp. Open, fill in any holes, cook 3 more minutes or until golden and crispy. Top with your favorite potato go-with. Kids will love this.
"It takes one heck of a long time for winter to turn into spring and there's not a lot you can do about it." (Bill Heavey)