History of the Christmas Poinsettia Plant By Melanie Smith

Aside from being the most commonly distinguished holiday flower of all, the Christmas poinsettia is also the most famous Christmas potted plant, with thousands being sold all over the United Kingdom and the United States annually.

Famous for its name as 'the Christmas flower,' 'the lobster flower,' or 'the Mexican flame leaf,' the poinsettia has a quite colorful history way back to the ancient Aztec people who considered the plant as a mark of purity. Some hundred years later, Christians in Mexico believed its star-shaped leaves is a sign of the Star of Bethlehem that guided Joseph and Mary to the stable where Jesus was born. This and together with the fact that the plant was always in full bloom during Christmas time, made people relate them with the holiday, being the reason why they are mostly used during that particular time of year for decorating.

Poinsettias also have a place in Mexican tale that tells why the typically red plants are known as Christmas flowers. A long time ago, a poor child was said to be roving down a road on Christmas Eve on his way to church troubled that he didn't have a present to offer the Christ child on his birthday. He singled out a few weeds growing along side of the road and brought them into the church where the parishioners said that any modest gift given out of love was sufficient, pretty soon the weeds turned into a colorful red and green leaves, making the people call it a Christmas miracle.

Presently, the poinsettia plant can be found in a number of different colors in addition to the traditional Christmas red. The plant blooms naturally in hues of cream, pale, lemony yellow, pinks and peaches, both with marks of gold and white throughout its leaves, which are mistakenly called flowers but are in fact the plant's upper leaves known as the bracts.

contrast to popular belief, the poinsettia, or any part of the whole plant, is not venomous. Scientific studies conducted by several units like the Ohio State University or the Carnegie Mellon University and Children's Hospital, both in Pittsburgh, didn’t find any toxic substance related to the plant.

Though the issue of the plant being poisonous is already settled and cleared, the flower is still not meant to be eaten by humans or animals, as it may cause a cat or a dog to get an upset stomach after consuming a number of them. However, there's no need for pet owners to steer clear of enjoying the splendor of the poinsettia at Christmas time for fear of an unintentional poisoning.

In great tribute to the man who initially introduced the now well-known plant to the country, December 12th has been proclaimed as the National Poinsettia Day in the United States, marking the date of the demise of Joel R. Poinsett. Aside from having the Christmas plant named after him, fascinatingly enough, Poinsett has also been given credit to founding The Smithsonian Institute.

Since its Christmas time, why not buy a fine-looking Poinsettia and have it planted in a pot and placed on window sills. There is a wide array of Christmas Poinsettia plant available anywhere in the world.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=371253&ca=Short

A Walk to Recovery By Mike Lang

A friend of mine, Carla, lost her boyfriend of ten years in a very tragic accident, a very sad ending it was for a love that has stood the test of time. A love so true, a love that has not lost its meaning even through the years. A love deserving to end up in the altar. A love so pure – a kind that everybody longs to have.

I can still clearly recall how we would spend a day with each other. After school, we would hang-out, eat in the cafeteria – the three of us would go to the movies together, believe it or not, we have watched practically all the movies. We would spend the rest of the time left window shopping or just sitting in a corner blankly staring at each other. I have seen how much we have grown together, as friends. And I was a witness to the childish love that has developed over the years – and that turned into something so beautiful and so perfect.

I can still remember we used to go and play paintball. The first time led to the next until we became so much fond of it. A very fun activity, it was. We would squeal, like children being hit by paintball and having the paint all dripping. We have shared so much, as friends. Ten years may not be sufficient but it was long enough to build a friendship – to learn so much from each other and enough to share memories that will forever be reminisced. The fondest times I can recall are the ones we shared in the paintball field. We all shared the same interests. We have enjoyed the littlest of things. Between Carla and Rob, is not just romantic relationship but a friendship that has blossomed into love. A love so young, so innocent and so genuine.

I would like to believe that good things really never last. He died in an accident leaving us on our own. Rob, being the guy in the group, always assures us that we could always cling to him. I am in pain, as Rob’s friend, how much more Carla? Recovery is on its way, a little less than ten years, now. We have been trying to catch up on each other. We have already watched a few movies together, just the two of us. She is trying to cope up and I know how painful it is to her. She admitted to me one thing, though; she could never stand even the thought of being in the paintball field we used to go to ten years ago. Now, I should make my goal, to be in that paintball field with my best friend.

Healing is a process. I am willing to walk her through it even if that would mean another decade. Having to spend another decade with a friend who is more of a family to me is not a waste of time. I lost a friend in Rob. And she has lost so much more.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=422189&ca=Short