Sunday, March 9, 2014

Green Thumb

Drought Concern 2014

The last time the area saw any measurable rain was September of last year.
We are now half a year without rain.
General experience is that the rainy season begins sometime in May.
There is no concrete evidence if the rainy season begins on time this year and at what strenght.

To date 18 provinces have been declared drought areas.  Suggestions have been made to prepare water reserves for general consumption.

Water levels at the local lake are dropping slightly.  It will be interesting to see the levels around Songkran.
Water trucks delivering water to remote areas seem to be more frequent on the roads 

Sheila MacRae aka Alice Kramden dies



Sheila MacRae replaced Audrey Meadows as Alice in a later version from 1966-70 on "
The Jackie Gleason Show."

She was 92

Time Reset

For those calls or television from back home, it's important to adjust your schedule

In New York Daylight Savings Time begins officially Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m. (+ 12 hrs Thailand)

List of locations around the world that will change their clocks during the next 4 weeks

If you drive through Arizona you may have to change your watch seven times, see the video

Recycle

On a recent road trip I discovered what may be becoming a fad.
Drink containers tied to the rear of vehicles.
The end result may be to catch your attention, it sure caught mine.



Saw the use of these fluorescent containers used on commercial and private vehicles.
Then again these drink containers may be the field expedient replacement for broken brake lights



Saturday, March 8, 2014

Sakon Nakhon Samsung Service Center

Information purpose only.
Located opposite the Bank of Thailand

Increased use of formalin raises local concerns

Source: Sakon TV Network


In an article posted on March 7, it is reported that excessive use of formalin to reduce food spoilage is under scrutiny by  The Provincial Health Office.


Formalin can be found naturally in most plant and animal life.



Ingestion of a small amount of formaldehyde is unlikely to cause acute effect, but ingestion of a large amount of formaldehyde can generally cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, coma, renal injury and possible death




Examples of Foods Known to Contain Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde

                                      mg/kg
Banana                            16.3
Shiitake mushroom    100-406 / 6-54.4
Cauliflower                        26.9

Wash all food thoroughly

How to remove formalin from food


Interesting to note: Burning meat while barbecuing. increases formalin content.