Now that the warmer weather is arriving and we are not as isolated, we can enjoy being "set free" from being kind of cooped up!
A few of the residents enjoy doing a bit of gardening and, of course, our caretaker does a lot to get things off to a good start with bright blooms and blossoms and this helps to create a beautiful and uplifting atmosphere.
There is another flower that everyone has on their lawns - the abundance of dandelions. However, if you check this out on google, before you get too frustrated about dandelions, there appears to be scientific proof of the health benefits of these so called "weeds", providing you don't use chemical sprays.
Botanists consider dandelions to be herbs, as you can use the leaves, stems, flowers and root for health and medicinal purposes. Dandelions contain potent antioxidants, which can aid in blood sugar control, reduce cholesterol and kill cancer cells. Dandelion greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, K and C in its raw form and a good source of calcium and potassium and don't forget that birds, bees, butterflies and a host of beneficial insects look to the dandelion as a source of nourishment in early spring.
But, when these dandelions are sprayed with chemicals, this can have serious and fatal consequences to helpful insects and birds and our own health and well being. Wow! maybe we should be looking at dandelions as a friend instead of an enemy.
Even though we are not having month-end birthday parties, there were four birthdays in May: Joyce Heaman, Muriel Anderson, Marge Tapp and Kay Lynn Gardiner.
