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Show CASTLE VALLEY TIMES Castle Valley, Utah - Volume 2, Number 7 Triassic Park As I walk through the tall grasses and weeds to my scattered gardens, a sea of hoppers move before me leaping, jumping, flying. They say this is not a bad year, even though my neighbor’s young trees have been stripped bare, even though my verdant patches of mint and comfrey are no more, my broccoli and spinach devoured. I awaken to squawking magpies - July15, 1993 cakes. A friend tells of beheaded, drained, and fried ones she sampled I forgive them that, knowing their main goal now is to eat the grasshoppers. When I smell skunks at night I think that maybe they too are enjoying that rich protein. I cheer for the cats who chase and pounce. Snakes, squirrels, field mice (most rodents), toads, and even coyotes are said to eat them—a once, with salsa. They were not too bad, but the crunch took some getting Mayberry Parcel used to. Our brethren across the sea believe they are a sign of good fortune and intelligence and believe that harming them will bring misfortune. There must not be many around. The Nature Conservancy has just purchased 120 acres of the Mayberry Grasshoppers are fed to wandering Buddhist monks, and also caged for their mating song. In China cricket fights are a favorite sport. Along with cockroaches and mantids, crickets and grasshoppers are members of the Orthopteran family. No doubt they are here to stay, since their ancestors were munching in the Triassic age, 55 million years before the Jurassic period. Worldwide, over 22,500 species have been identified, 1,015 in the United States—the sight I’d like to see. majority residing in the southwest In I wonder how they might taste roasted and drenched in honey, jellied, or dried and ground into meal, hopper Return of the Grasshoppers Nature Conservancy Purchases Part of delighting in their morning feast. Although they ate most of my cherries, - my yard I see a variety of shapes, sizes, More on Page 6. Orchard parcel of land. The Mayberry property contains about 208 acres of land surrounding the junction of the River Road and the turn-off to Castle Valley. While the actual orchard has not yet been purchased, all the remain— ing land around the junction has been acquired by the Nature Conservancy. It has been frightening over the years to hear of the various development proposals for this newly protected land. Three years ago a developer tried to get the zoning changed to that he could put in a 200+ unit RV park right along the road. Fortunately, his financing package fell through. Anyway, it’s good news that most of the land is in good hands. It is hoped that the Nature Conservancy will be able to acquire the remainder of the orchard this year. If you know of anyone who would like to help the Nature Conservancy purchase the remaining land, please contact the Conservancy’s Moab office at 259—4629. —Jack Campbell New Road Supervisor Hired John Blake, Buchanan Lane, has been hired as new Road Supervisor for Castle Valley. With the County beginning to chip seal Castle Valley Drive, he’s jumping into the middle of Weeds—The Other Side of the Fence Plants become weeds when they start insisting on where they will grow. An inevitable conflict arises when people think they have the right to control those decisions. Silly people. Here are some gleanings from several essential amino acids. Aids digestion, appetite stimulant and overall tonic. Natural diuretic and laxative. Folk remedy for arthritis, cystitis. Avoid if you have auto-immune disorder. Bee Plant—Fire starter, potherb, a lot of work. John mentioned that he could usually be reached at home (259-2341) wonderful books to temper the curses yellow-green dye. Deodorizes if fresh and laments which often accompany the company of weeds. These teasers, leaves are placed in shoes. between 7 and 8 am. and between 8 if you are interested, can be verified or leaves used as laxative, remedy for and 9 pm. Please let him get oriented before bringing up problems about the amplified as you check them out for jaundice, gallbladder problems. yourself. Don’t just take my word side roads, except for those needing to be corrected before the paving occurs. for it. Treatment for spider bites. Cheat Grass—A relative newcomer to the US. Used in several Navajo ceremonials. John was out on the roads the morning after being hired, helping the McLanahans try to solve the “Lake Comer” problem. Good luck, John! And thanks to Don Tuft, newly retired supervisor, for a great job. —Jack Campbell The Other Side of Some Local "Weeds": Alfalfa—Wild legume from west Asia Arabs called it “best fodder” for horses and human beings. Nitrogen fixer, Bindweed—Dried rhizomes, roots, Chickweed—As poultice, juice, tincture, or salve used topically for swellings (sprains, arthritis, gout, etc.) green mulch. Besides calcium, magne— sium, potassium, beta carotine, 8 More on Page 7. |
