Can’t seem to fix it Nothing can It’s the spot within yourself you can’t stand. Tried so many different ways To stand above it Yet silently you were sinking. In desperate times Truth rears it’s head What makes a man, is constant dread. No magical beans to help you escape The turmoil you find when you hesitate. There should be a trigger, a warning sign But sadly none that controls your whole mind. When fallen, you attempted to rise There is no limit to your disguise You try the truth but allow the lies. Just one step you took so long ago into the wrong way You can’t escape the effects, no how, no way. Until you stop yourself from shirking your responsibilities. Your endless torment of “what use to be’s.” So gather up your strength, your battle scars Things are seldom how you feel they are. Put one foot then follow with another one Till your back where you wanted and can rest some.
Below is a list of monthly holidays in April. These include federal holidays, International holidays, as well as various religious holidays. It is always important to know when holidays fall so that you can plan. Feel free to check other sections of the website for other holidays.
On April 1, 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools’ Day by playing practical jokes on each other.
Although the day, also called All Fools’ Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by diverse cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery.
Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes.
These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as poisson d’avril (April fish), said to symbolize a young, “easily hooked” fish and a gullible person.
April Fools’ Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with “hunting the gowk,” in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them.
Maybe you first heard about composting from a local farmer. Maybe your neighbor is a gardener. Or maybe a nearby restaurant boasts that it composts food scraps in a green space outback. Whether you’ve known about composting since childhood or just started looking into it for yourself, there’s always more to learn. If you’re willing to put in a bit of thought and effort, there’s good to be done by simply changing the way you get rid of your trash. Find out more ways to go green in the kitchen.2 / 12
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What is composting?
Natural decomposition is the basis of composting. Composting vegetation already fills our parks, forests and other un-manicured outdoor spaces. “Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When you choose to use a compost pile or compost bin at home to cut back on trash services or use nature’s own recycling method, you’re composting. So, really, composting is simple: It means you’re separating your organic waste (food scrap, yard clippings, and other once-living things) into a special spot for composting instead of adding it to the recycling bin or trash can. Look at 8 easy composting tips.
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Why is composting earth-friendly?
Composting your organic waste helps the environment in two big ways. First, compost enriches soil so that it can give precious nutrients to plants that are still growing. If you have a garden or even potted plants or flowers, you can eventually use your composted soil to help plants grow more quickly and vibrantly. Secondly, composting keeps food scraps out of the landfill. Though landfills and compost piles look similar at face value, food decomposes more quickly—and in a more earth-friendly way—when composted. “Waste sent to landfill breaks down anaerobically—that is, without any oxygen present. It is squashed down then capped with soil and clay… As the rubbish breaks down over time, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more powerful than CO2,” an article by the Guardianexplains. Food scraps also decompose slower in a landfill. Learn the truth about common “going green” myths. TOP ARTICLES2/5Sour Patch Kids Jelly Beans Are Here to Make Your Easter Basket SO Much Better4 / 12
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Why does it help the environment?
If everyone in the United States started composting, it would reduce 30 percent of the trash sent to landfills and incinerators, suggests a report published by U.S. Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG). Composting keeps food waste out of landfills, which are notorious for releasing a combination of methane and carbon dioxide (CO2), aka greenhouse gases, reports the EPA. These greenhouse gases, in turn, trap radiation from the sun, keeping our planet warm. As humans burn more fossil fuels and keep piling trash onto landfills, the swell of greenhouse gases contributes to global warming. So when you compost, you’re actively helping to prevent global warming! These are some ways green living can make you healthier.5 / 12
You can start by making or buying a compost bin to keep your decomposing waste contained, ideally in a shady corner of your yard. It’s important to constantly add water and mix up the waste with a shovel, pitchfork or another yard tool. Some people cover outdoor compost bins with a tarp to hold in moisture and promote decomposition.
So what about indoor composting? The process is the same but on a smaller scale. Keep a small, kitchen-friendly compost bin on your countertop or next to your trash can. If you want to try indoor composting, it is important to maintain the correct ratio of waste types so that you don’t attract bugs. The good news is that even if you don’t have the capacity to compost in your own home, you may be able to bring food scraps to your local farmer’s market for collection. New York City, for example, has drop-off sites around the city. If you’re worried about scraps beginning to rot before you can take them to the farmer’s market, freeze your waste. This stops the decomposition process in its tracks. Get more info on how to start composting here.7 / 12
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What can you compost?
It’s tempting to compost anything that seems like it could decompose naturally, but you might end up with a compost pile infested with insects or rodents. So carefully consider what you compost. Remember, it’s always easier to add more to the compost pile than remove stinky waste. Per the EPA, the following items are OK to compost:
Grass clippings and tree leaves
Vegetable and fruit scraps
Eggshells
Plain rice or plain pasta (no oil or butter)
Coffee grounds
Teabags and tea leaves
Black and white newspaper or plain white printer paper
Any waste that seems unhealthy or dangerous in your house is also dangerous in your compost pile. For instance, if you have a houseplant that dies of insect infestation or plant disease, don’t compost the leaves. You should also skip composting these items:
Anything dairy
Food scraps that include dairy, oil or meat (these foods attract rodents and bugs)
Whole eggs
Charcoal or coal ashes
Meat
Dog or cat waste
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How to keep a balanced compost pile
Healthy compost piles have a 50/50 mix of browns and greens—brittle dead things and organic scraps, according to the EPA. Brown waste supplies carbon and it comes from twigs, dried leaves or even broken branches. Green waste, including food scraps, grass clippings and coffee grounds, supplies nitrogen. Your compost pile requires one other key ingredient: water. Keep your compost pile moist, but not saturated with water. Stir it up often to mix the green and brown scraps. Find out how to cut back on food waste.10 / 12
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What tools make composting easier?
Composting is easy and cheap; you only need a bit of shade, water, and the right mix of organic waste. But composting can seem a little messy, which is where these tools come in.
Some outdoor composters prefer using an aerator instead of a shovel to turn the soil.
A pretty compost bin keeps the process neater and you won’t mind having it sit out on your kitchen counter.
Live composting worms eat their own body weight in organic waste each day, aerating the compost and adding fertilizer to the soil, which can help speed up decomposition.
Though composting is easy once you get the hang of it, there are several common issues many beginning composters struggle with for a while. Some composters overwater their piles, creating a slimy sludge, while others don’t water enough, growing a dusty pile of dirt. But one of the most common annoyances about composting is the insects. The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay have a few tips for dealing with pests: “Raise the heap’s temperature to above 120°F…Turn the pile over and rebuild it, watering it well as you go. If it contains lots of leaves or straw, mix in a nitrogen source like blood meal, manure or shellfish shells. It should start heating soon, and when it does, those bugs will depart for a more comfortable place.” By the way, here’s how to revive a nearly dead plant.
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What to do with finished compost
So you’ve successfully turned your first batch of food scraps until they’ve turned into a beautiful dark brown soil—congrats! Now, what should you do with the fruits of your labor? The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommends spreading compost over the low spots in your yard. This is a cheap, effective way to level your lawn. You could also use the compost for re-potting plants or mulching around bushes or outdoor gardens. Read on for the backyard trends you should try this season.
Yes, the CDC says you should be doing both! Here’s why.
The act of cleaning refers to the removal of germs and dirt. It does not kill germs, but removes them from the surface, therefore lowering the risk of spreading infection.
On the other hand, disinfecting is actually killing the germs—usually with chemicals. It should be done after cleaning and can further lower the risk of spreading illness.
In other words, when you wipe away messes on your counter with soap and water, you’re cleaning. You’re disinfecting a surface only when you use a product specifically made for disinfection. (Don’t miss the things you should be disinfecting regularly to avoid spreading germs.)
How to Clean and Disinfect Surfaces
Here’s the best way to clean and disinfect common surfaces around your home:
Wear disposable gloves—and discard the gloves after cleaning. If your prefer reusable gloves, use them only for cleaning and not for any other purpose. Then, wash your hands after removing the gloves.
Clean surfaces with soap and water prior to disinfection.
Disinfect surfaces with diluted bleach or an EPA-registered household disinfection product, like Clorox or Lysol cleaners. (See below for more details about EPA-recommended cleaners.) To make your own bleach solution, mix 1/3 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
When it comes to disinfecting your home, don’t forget about your clothes and towels! Here’s how to clean and disinfect your laundry:
If someone in your home is sick or has recently recovered from illness, use disposable gloves to handle dirty laundry. Discard the gloves after use and wash your hands. Keep in mind, if you aren’t using gloves, you should still wash your hands after touching the dirty laundry.
Do not shake dirty laundry, because that can further spread the virus.
Wash your clothes and towels per the manufacturer’s instructions but use the hottest setting on your washing machine.
Clean and disinfect your clothes hamper. Consider using a washable liner for the hamper and wash it on the highest possible setting, as well.
EPA-Recommended Cleaning Products
To ensure your home is disinfected, and not just clean, it’s best to use products recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-recommended cleaning products have been tested and shown to be effective against harder-to-kill viruses. This is not the time to rely on natural cleaners—bring on the chemicals.
No matter which cleaner you purchase, be sure to follow the directions on the bottle for the proper concentration, application and contact time to ensure disinfection. You can find the full list of EPA-approved products here. (And while you’re shopping, here are the cleaning products that professional house cleaners recommend.)
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