Bring in the Herbs

Bring in the herbs

By Eric Reed

Many of us who garden cannot stand the off-season. So one alternative to pacing the indoors is bringing the outdoors in. An indoor herb garden is a splendid way of keeping a green thumb dirty. Not to mention an occasional spring or leaf making its way into whatever is on the stove.
Many herbs will take to growing indoors. A small planter box, terracotta pots or a re-purposed aquairium may serve well. Just make sure there location can provide about five hours of sunlight. Adding some life to your window and growing seeds for that Spring transplant will help ward off a gloomy Winter. For the more ambitious grower, starting a few veggies from seed can also get you a jump on the season when it is time to move outdoors once again. A small indoor herb garden can keep those fresh greens close and the love of nature closer.

Things you can use:

A planter. Recycled items such as old pots or boxes can work. Use your imagination.
The basics of live. Water, Sunlight, seeds and soil. Organic potting soil works best.
Any seed will do. Pick your favorite and add variety to what you might like to look at and eat from your windowsill. Dill, parsley, thyme, savory basil, oregano and rosemary.
Start a bed. A wet mix of potting mix.
Seed it. Push seeds into mix about ¼ - ½ inches down and gently cover.
Make it cozy by creating a mini green house using plastic wrap, with small holes.
Keep the soil damp, but not soaking, and in the sun. A Southern or Western facing window helps.
Adding some organic fertilizer once they have grown up a bit and clip herbs’ outer leaves as not to kill the plant.

Counting Thoes Who Often Don't Count

Bundled to ward off the occasional Southern California drizzle a woman pushing a shopping cart on the streets of down town San Bernardino is stopped not by a cop wanting to move her along, but by another woman who just wants to talk. San Bernardino County Supervisor, Jose Gonzales, spends time talking with her until her team mates press her to move on and continue the hunt. Teams of volunteers fan-out across San Bernardino County in a one night effort to count the homeless population. Gonzales along with the Mayor of San Bernardino, Pat Morris, San Bernardino City Police Officer Marci Atkins and approximately 700 others, spend their Thursday night to scour the city in search of finding people living on the streets. They volunteer their time for a cause that will ultimately help those being rousted from their spots of relative shelter.
In order to receive grant money from the government the county must count those who are difficult to find.
The San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services and Homeless Partnership conduct a "Point-in-Time" bi-annual census count of the counties homeless population, late Friday night, Jan. 22, 2009. The census is to help determine the need for services and allow agencies to apply for federal funding. This count is mandated by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As Mayor Morris approaches a man in the dark to ask if he would answer a few questions, Moses Sanchez hesitates in an uneasy manor at first to see if he is in any trouble. Sanchez is street savvy after four years but is quickly impressed to find the Mayor is out this late evening to talk with him.

In the Presence of History

Inauguration: A Nation Gathers
Students and faculty of California State University San Bernardino gather at the Santos Manuel Student Union's Event Center on campus to watch the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack H. Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Reed)

Keeping in the loop is a challenge in a news vacuum. The lack of a news room, as a listening post, can be a disadvantage in a breaking news sense. But, the freedom to choose what to do when has its advantages as well. I was able to find this event of people watching the Inauguration of our 44th President at Cal State San Bernardino and cover it for The Associated Press. It was nice to have a reason to push myself a little.

Photo Annon

Photography Anonymous: What do you get the REAL photographer for the holidays? A point and shoot camera of course. It is important to have THE shot than no shot at all. I just got one this year and love it. I find it satisfies the overly compulsive urge to shoot with out the hassle of 10 to 30 lbs of camera gear on you like normal and fits in your pocket. Hours of fun posting family snaps and fun pix to Flickr.com. Also there is a professional note to take into consideration. The real stealth mode. When you need the shot but the powers that be find large cameras in close quarters intimidating and want to throw you out. Sometimes being anonymous has its advantages.

Here is my new website as well - http://www.ericreedphoto.com/