Steve Andrews's Blog, page 8
April 1, 2016
Kickstarter campaign for Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets at Kew Gardens
Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets is a herbal with a difference!
Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets is a herbal with a difference because it looks at why ancient herbalists, like Nicholas Culpeper, decided to group various culinary and medicinal herbs under the astrological dominion of the Sun, Moon and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Of course, the title otherwise
Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets is a herbal with a difference because it looks at why ancient herbalists, like Nicholas Culpeper, decided to group various culinary and medicinal herbs under the astrological dominion of the Sun, Moon and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Of course, the title otherwise
March 11, 2016
Stinging Nettles are a very useful edible plant
The Stinging Nettle (a poem rescued from the defunct Bubblews)
Stinging Nettles (Photo: Public Domain)
Most people think that nettles are just nasty weeds,
But actually they are the plants that a butterfly caterpillar needs,
For the larvae of the red admiral and the small tortoiseshell too,
They eat the leaves of this plant; it is what they must do.
The peacock butterfly is
Stinging Nettles (Photo: Public Domain)
Most people think that nettles are just nasty weeds,
But actually they are the plants that a butterfly caterpillar needs,
For the larvae of the red admiral and the small tortoiseshell too,
They eat the leaves of this plant; it is what they must do.
The peacock butterfly is
March 8, 2016
Vote for Cuddly in the Cutest Pet Competition
Vote for Cuddly the Tuxedo cat!
Cuddly is the name of a black and white tuxedo cat belonging to me and my partner Melissa. Cuddly looks cuddly but he is actually badly named (my fault) because he doesn’t actually enjoy being cuddled or picked up. He is very friendly though, and comes when called and he makes charming little noises, which I cannot hope to duplicate in writing.
Cuddly is
Cuddly is the name of a black and white tuxedo cat belonging to me and my partner Melissa. Cuddly looks cuddly but he is actually badly named (my fault) because he doesn’t actually enjoy being cuddled or picked up. He is very friendly though, and comes when called and he makes charming little noises, which I cannot hope to duplicate in writing.
Cuddly is
February 10, 2016
In memory of Pixi Morgan a fellow Bard
Pixi Morgan was a Bard, a Travelling Minstrel and an Eco-warrior
Pixi Morgan's real name was Neill Morgan but Pixi suited him better in so many ways. There was something magical and mystical about his songs and performance. He originally hailed from Cardiff in Wales but he spent a lot of his life in Glastonbury. He was a modern travelling minstrel, a bard and an eco-warrior, who took part in
Pixi Morgan's real name was Neill Morgan but Pixi suited him better in so many ways. There was something magical and mystical about his songs and performance. He originally hailed from Cardiff in Wales but he spent a lot of his life in Glastonbury. He was a modern travelling minstrel, a bard and an eco-warrior, who took part in
January 29, 2016
Clay plant pots versus plastic pots
Clay pots or plastic pots?
Plant in plastic pot (Photo: Public Domain)
We all know well that there is too much waste plastic polluting the environment, filling the oceans, and killing wildlife, so anything which can help cut down our use of the material has got to be good news. I have been thinking about how many plastic pots and containers for growing plants in get sold every day and
Plant in plastic pot (Photo: Public Domain)
We all know well that there is too much waste plastic polluting the environment, filling the oceans, and killing wildlife, so anything which can help cut down our use of the material has got to be good news. I have been thinking about how many plastic pots and containers for growing plants in get sold every day and
January 28, 2016
Garden Tiger Moth and its Woolly Bear caterpillar in serious decline
The very large and colourful garden tiger moth (Arctia caja), and its hairy caterpillar, which is known as a "woolly bear," were once very common in the UK but are now declining in numbers fast.
Arctia caja (Photo: Kurt Kulac)
The garden tiger has brightly coloured forewings that are patterned in creamy-white and chocolate-brown and the hind-wings are orange with blackish-blue spots. It
Arctia caja (Photo: Kurt Kulac)
The garden tiger has brightly coloured forewings that are patterned in creamy-white and chocolate-brown and the hind-wings are orange with blackish-blue spots. It
January 25, 2016
Habitat destruction is a very serious threat to the survival of many species
What local habitats have you seen destroyed?
If, like me, you are very concerned about the vanishing wildlife around the world and the increasing threats to so many species of flora and fauna, you will know that habitat destruction is one of the main threats that plants and animals face. I expect there are places you can remember that have been destroyed by housing developments, urban
If, like me, you are very concerned about the vanishing wildlife around the world and the increasing threats to so many species of flora and fauna, you will know that habitat destruction is one of the main threats that plants and animals face. I expect there are places you can remember that have been destroyed by housing developments, urban
January 24, 2016
Why Darwin and David Attenborough have doubts about God
Charles Darwin doubted God made the ichneumon wasps
Naturalist Charles Darwin, who became a famous historical figure because of his Theory of Evolution and his book On The Origin of Species, came to think of himself as an agnostic, when it came to his religious views.
Female Ichneumon xanthorius (Photo: Martin Cooper)
Darwin's studies and great knowledge of the natural world had made
Naturalist Charles Darwin, who became a famous historical figure because of his Theory of Evolution and his book On The Origin of Species, came to think of himself as an agnostic, when it came to his religious views.
Female Ichneumon xanthorius (Photo: Martin Cooper)
Darwin's studies and great knowledge of the natural world had made
January 15, 2016
Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets to be published in May
Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets
My forthcoming book Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets has been set a publication date for 27 May, 2016. It is being published by Moon Books in their Pagan Portals series. The cover features some dragon trees, which are described in the section about Herbs of Mars. I became fascinated by these weird plants when I first came upon them in Tenerife where I used
My forthcoming book Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets has been set a publication date for 27 May, 2016. It is being published by Moon Books in their Pagan Portals series. The cover features some dragon trees, which are described in the section about Herbs of Mars. I became fascinated by these weird plants when I first came upon them in Tenerife where I used
January 8, 2016
Celebrities protest against Fracking - Leo Sayer, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono and King Arthur Pendragon
Leo Sayer says "No Fracking Way"
Celebrities around the world are joining the general public in campaigning to stop fracking, which term is a shorter way of saying hydraulic fracturing. British rock star and singer-songwriter Leo Sayer. who relocated to Australia, has moved away from pop to protest with his song No Fracking Way. Leo assembled a group of singers and musicians to support him
Celebrities around the world are joining the general public in campaigning to stop fracking, which term is a shorter way of saying hydraulic fracturing. British rock star and singer-songwriter Leo Sayer. who relocated to Australia, has moved away from pop to protest with his song No Fracking Way. Leo assembled a group of singers and musicians to support him
