Latest comments

The Drama of Life in the Rock Pool

It's another of those "Now why didn't I think of that" idea for an article. I live by the seaside, regularly take assorted young relatives to the rockpools around the shore, yet never thought to write about them. Now that I'm back in ...

Maritravel, on 06/10/2014

Authentic Chinese Food vs. Americanized Chinese Food

I love both beans and chilis, so I'll try to get the taste with or without the paste, see if there's a difference. The trick with the paste is that you can add it to non-bean dishes. And the fact that it's fermented (I so wonder about the ...

Mira, on 06/10/2014

Blue Wood Aster or Heartleaf Aster

:-) Yes, that's quite something, when a plant blooms so nicely, for so long, with so many flowers, in the shade.

Mira, on 06/10/2014

Shade Tolerant Asters of Eastern North America

Now that I look at them again, I do think I have seen them in the wild. I will keep an eye open for them in the fall, should I get lucky to escape the city :-)

Mira, on 06/10/2014

Homelessness in London

Hello Kathleen, thank you. You're right it is going to get worse. I just don't know what the answer is.

Telesto, on 06/10/2014

Homelessness in London

Really found this interesting. It can only get worse with the state of the housing market, funding cuts to charitable organisations, benefits, etc. Thanks for highlighting.

KathleenDuffy, on 06/10/2014

Searching for the Truth?

frankbeswick - I found the book in our library at the church. You're right about the sources.

cmoneyspinner, on 06/09/2014

Bridal Shower Etiquette Tips

You do have some very good tips for planning a bridal shower.

dustytoes, on 06/09/2014

Blue Wood Aster or Heartleaf Aster

Thanks! I think the combination of the color and bloom dates are one thing that makes this particular plant so appealing to me. It's relatively easy to find late-blooming plants that bloom white, but there aren't many other plants that bloom ...

cazort, on 06/09/2014

Shade Tolerant Asters of Eastern North America

Yes! Asters do grow in the wild, and many of them are more commonly found in the wild than in cultivation. Asters are incredibly diverse...hundreds of different species, most are sun loving though...which is why I made this page, to draw ...

cazort, on 06/09/2014

Shade Tolerant Asters of Eastern North America

I didn't know of asters before reading this. Now I'll keep an eye open to see if I spot them in people's gardens. Would they also grow in the wild? You mention their seeds spread quite easily.

Mira, on 06/09/2014

Blue Wood Aster or Heartleaf Aster

I enlarged your photos and these blue asters look quite nice. I love their color, that pale lila. And if it blooms late, when other flowers are already gone, well, that's wonderful :-)

Mira, on 06/09/2014

Authentic Chinese Food vs. Americanized Chinese Food

Yeah! The chili paste, actually a chili bean paste, is critical to getting that Szechuan taste. It is also called Doubanjiang and is often labelled "Chili Bean Sauce" or other similar names. Maybe Szechuan cuisine could be a new topic I cover.

cazort, on 06/09/2014

The Disappearance of Richey Manic 20th Anniversary

Nice article! Have you read the novel? The one by Ben Myers? His face looks so sad on the cover of that Michael Heatley book.

Mira, on 06/09/2014

Authentic Chinese Food vs. Americanized Chinese Food

I do garlic and ginger too, quite a lot. I'll also look for Szechuan peppercorns :-). Fermented chili paste? That sounds intriguing. If you do get to write some more on Szechuan cuisine, I'd love to read.

Mira, on 06/09/2014