Fist fights on the sand lot

Art Heyman and Larry Brown grew up together: Heyman in Oceanside, New York and Brown in Long Beach. They competed on the playground across the street from Brown’s grandfather’s bakery. Even though they were just kids, this was fierce competition at a very high level. Because of this, only the best young players could play on these uneven courts. Maybe you could never tell that Art and Larry were close friends. Both boys were tough and mean and even then there were fist fights, but there was also mutual respect. In fact, they were hunted by Frank McGuire in North Carolina until they both agreed to play for him. That was until Duke came on the scene. But that’s another story for another day. Suffice to say, this pair was as tough as New York can produce, and a Heyman unleashed was a gruesome prospect for any opposing team. He proved it at Duke for a very satisfied Bubas coach.

The magnificent warrior

In the grim and murderous North St. Louis neighborhood where Chris Carrawell grew up, he recalls three drive-by shootings in one summer, a scenario he said he wouldn’t dare wish on many people. “Learn to defend what is mine” was his eleventh commandment. “My basketball was my thing; I had to fight older guys so they wouldn’t take it from me,” says Carrawell. Carrawell had no one else to defend him as a child. His father didn’t exist, he was the man of the house, and most of the time it seemed that no one cared if he would ever enjoy a shred of success doing something anywhere.

He claims that the only reason he and his siblings were able to pull it off was their mother’s toughness. “She kept us in church, she was very religious,” he says. “Seeing her being there for us every day and staying away from the things you can counteract by growing up in the neighborhood we grew up in. She was the strongest person I know to this day.” And thanks to her, Carrawell became great at the one thing he could excel at above all others: basketball.

He had some serious injuries; one might even have questioned why Mike Krzyewski went after Carrawell for Duke, knowing he might have chronic problems. Perhaps it was the boy’s fighting spirit, his refusal to back down. Well, in any case, Coach K’s gamble paid off and Carrawell became a giant killer. At just 6’6 “and 215, he was assigned to Tim Duncan in college and defended him well. However, he was also the backup point guard and was generally assigned the best perimeter shooter on the other team. In the end, Coach K he called Carrawell “the magnificent warrior”, and it was an appropriate title for a young man who never gave up, who gave his last effort in every game, who had learned to stay calm even in the most pressured playing conditions.

When Daniel stopped crying

Daniel Ewing, a native of Missouri City, Texas, grew up in a large competitive family with some heartless older siblings. When they played basketball games as a family, you would think that Daniel’s brothers would leave him a little lazy, give him a break, a free throw or two. But no way. Ewing was tortured, beaten, pushed and shoved until he ran to his father crying for sympathy. With indifference, his father used to say: “Go back and stop crying …”. So Daniel learned to fight with all his heart for every rebound, every possession, every shot, and in the process, he became one of the best high school players in America. As a shooter and point guard at Duke, Ewing participated in more victories than any other player in the nation. He seemed mild-mannered, but that was in contrast to the extreme effort he put into every game and as team captain for two years.

Competitive as they come

At first glance, Bobby Hurley looked like a short, pale 15-year-old with a smug pout. But woe to the coaches and basketball players who underestimated him on the court. Hurley’s father was a successful high school basketball coach and both he and his son were super competitive. This resulted in some fierce one-on-one games between the two of them while Bobby was still in elementary and middle school. Hurley Sr. was almost inhuman in the little things he did to unsettle Bobby or get him out of his game, to undermine his confidence. Eventually, he could no longer get inside his son’s head and Bobby graduated from the inner city courtyards. Sometimes he was the only white kid on the court. If he lost a game, he was likely to wait at least an hour before getting another chance. In the end, Bobby’s teams almost always won. Arguably, he became the best point guard to ever play for Duke and still holds the NCAA career assist record of 1076. He was good for two national championships.

Some critics act as if only the wealthy and privileged kids who grew up playing on gold-plated hard courts end up at Duke. Or are children just the best brains in the nation. Or are they just the ones worshiping in the massive Krzyewski Shrine perched in the middle of the Durham campus. No. Many of Duke’s best players came out the hard way, fighting their way against equally determined players on concrete driveways and asphalt park courts from the slums of St. Louis to the boroughs of New York City.

One of the great things about menswear is that while trends come and go, like the polyester suit of the 70s and the punk look of the 80s, it always seems to gravitate towards a clean, masculine look. 2011 has definitely brought a major revival of this classic look. In both haute couture and catalogs, you will see men dressed in flattering styles and natural fabrics. The ’90s grunge style is out, and the clean-cut, well-groomed look of an earlier era is back. Along these lines, here are 3 of my favorite menswear trends for Fall 2011.

Colored denim We tend to always think of denim in the sense of “blue jeans”. But colored denim is a big trend for fall and a great way to dress up your regular denim look. It is now accepted that you can wear white jeans, even after Labor Day. Just fasten them with darker pieces, like gray or brown shoes and belt, and a navy blue sports jacket. Gray jeans are a great look for fall. You can pair them with other cool shades like a blue and white striped shirt, camel suede shoes, and a blue denim jacket for a nice, relaxing look. Or for something a little more daring, try the golden yellow jeans. Just remember that this is a bright color, and the rest of your outfit should stay in neutral tones, like tans or navy blue.

Fashion inspired by “Mad Men” Since the television show “Mad Men” became very popular, several different clothing companies have introduced tailored and fitted lines inspired by the pre-hippie era of the early 1960s. Personally, I am looking forward to the men’s line. Inspired by Banana Republic’s “Mad Men” to be released this fall. The reason this particular line works so well is that it offers an updated twist on classic retro styling. This is the key to looking appropriate, not like you’re wearing a costume, while emulating vintage fashion. The key pieces to achieving the “Mad Men” inspired look are slim fit suits, shawl collar sweaters, fine striped trousers, waistcoats and waistcoats. If you are attending a formal event, a classic black silk bow tie is key, and for everyday wear, a nice silk tie with tie accessories is appropriate.

Casual and elegant looks What do I mean by “elegant causal”? Well, it differs from what you think is stylish. For a smart and casual look, start with a casual base. This could be a pair of baggy chinos and a silk-screened cotton polo or T-shirt. Then add an item that you would normally only consider stylish, like a well-fitting sports jacket. For another smart casual look, try a pair of dark jeans and a button-down shirt with the vest of your three-piece suit. Or black jeans with a plain white T-shirt and a tuxedo jacket. You can also make any casual outfit more stylish with an interesting accessory like an antique pocket watch or a nice pair of leather oxford shoes. Celebrities who regularly and successfully sport a smart casual look include Kanye West, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, and Pharell Williams. Just never mix a blazer or sports jacket with shorts when opting for a smart casual look.

Most families or individuals are overwhelmed by information when it comes to emergency preparedness. There are just hundreds of websites offering emergency preparedness tips, experts giving advice, and authors writing about survival. There are many things to learn and do in a short time.

Don’t be overwhelmed. Instead, we should be grateful that there is a lot of information at our fingertips, which helps us become aware of the situation we may face and gives us advice on how we can avoid that situation.

10 Emergency Preparedness Books You Must Read

If you want to learn how to prepare for emergencies, we offer you the top ten books in which you can learn to prepare.

1. Emergency Food Storage and Survival Manual – Everything you need to know to keep your family safe in crisis situations. This book provides important tips on what you need to buy and store for your family, which can last for days or even up to three months. The book includes 10 steps to creating an affordable home food storage program. The tips included in the book are simple and inexpensive, which is important for families.

2. SAS Survival Manual – Any Weather, Any Situation. This is an updated version of the internationally best-selling SAS Survival Manual. Campers, outdoor enthusiasts, and hikers may find this book very helpful. Readers are taught basic camp crafts and navigation to help them cope with natural disasters.

3. Practical Family Disaster Preparedness Manual. Another helpful guide for families who want to get started with emergency preparedness. Long-term food storage is discussed, as is the selection and use of firearms. Steps are provided that can help families cope with five different deadly natural disasters, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods.

4. 98.6 degrees: the art of keeping your ass alive. Cody Lundin, a naturalist and survivor, who can be recognized by the Discovery Channel’s Lost in the Wild and Dual Survival, wrote this book. It’s fun and straightforward in teaching basic survival skills in all the scenarios the author can cover.

5. How to survive the end of the world as we know it: tactics, techniques and technologies for uncertain times. This book attempts to cover the necessary preparation, whether during a time of terrorist attack, economic downturn, or the spread of disease. The book focuses on amassing the supplies of rights to help you survive unfortunate future events.

6. When all hell breaks loose: things you need to survive when disaster strikes. Another entertaining and informative book from survivor Cody Lundin. Provides the necessary tips when it comes to basic emergency preparedness. The book addresses simple sanitation needs, such as a lack of toilet paper or the disposal of dead bodies.

7. When Disaster Strikes: A Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Planning and Coping in Crisis Situations. A comprehensive and practical guide to preparing for unpredictable events. This book can be easily understood by families who are trying to learn about food storage, first aid, shelter needs, and give valuable tips to develop outdoor survival skills by sharing real survival stories.

8. Emergency Preparedness and More: Food Storage and Survival Handbook. A comprehensive book covering 3-day and long-term storage food packaging, medical supply kits, water purification, and creating emergency communication plans during disasters and emergencies.

9. When Technology Fails (Revised and Expanded): A Manual for Self-Reliance, Sustainability, and Survival in a Long Emergency. The book provides valuable information on storing food, providing shelter and energy needs, and even crisis management skills. It teaches survival skills and being ‘green’, which can come in handy through good times and bad.

10. Survive! Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere – Alive. Written by Survivorman Les Stroud. The book provides valuable tips on how to survive in the wild, the desert, the jungle, and even during urban disasters. The tips are peppered with stories to drive the author’s point about the value of being prepared.

Why read these books and be prepared?

There are different types of disasters that can disrupt our perfectly stable lives, be it natural calamities, economic instability, or man-made events. Property can be damaged, health can be affected, and the whole family can be traumatized by these events.

However, we can avoid or lessen stress and trauma during these events if we are prepared. Emergency preparedness isn’t just about storing food, water, and necessary supplies. Understanding possible situations and having a plan can help your family cope, such as a meeting or an exit plan.

Involving the family in the entire disaster and emergency preparedness process can increase their awareness and help them deal with their fear. In the event of a natural calamity, your family would be prepared on how to handle things.

See the long, coarse, and widely spaced hair growing around your dog’s muzzle? These are whiskers. This finely tuned and highly sensitive sensory structure is scientifically known as vibrissae. Most animals have whiskers. These hairs not only serve to enhance the appearance of the dog. Whiskers play an important role. The mustache is a touch-sensitive organ that is comparable to the fingertips of humans.

Quite long but sparse hairs that grow on the side of the nose, on the upper lip and on the chin are commonly called whiskers. But did you know that whiskers are not only found in the area of ​​the dog’s muzzle, but also on its forehead? The hairs on the eyes of dogs are also called whiskers, although these hairs are slightly shorter than those that grow on the muzzle. Whiskers are also the first hairs that puppies grow. Except for the size, the whiskers are almost the same as normal hair. The whiskers are more than twice the size of normal hair. The roots are also embedded three times deeper. The root of a mustache is found in the middle of a network of small nerves. The rich supply of nerves in the follicle makes whiskers an intricate receptor. These highly sensitive tactile hairs receive the vibrations from the air currents and send the message to the brain. The dog can sense the presence of a predator or an object in its path. Mustaches are equated with eyelashes. Both send messages to the brain that cause the dog to automatically close its eyes when the whiskers rub against an object. This protects the eyes from damage.

The whiskers serve as a kind of antenna that tells the dog all kinds of information. It is a good navigation tool that is especially useful when the dog is looking for food at night and is more difficult to see. Dogs and other animals grope their way in the dark with the help of whiskers. Whiskers inform the dog about its surroundings. Dog whiskers are also considered an important hunting tool. Of course, dogs are known for their excellent sense of smell, but these highly sensitive hairs help the dog detect prey from several feet away. Dogs are diggers. They track and follow their prey in their burrows. The whiskers let the dog know if the opening is wide enough for him to get through. Scientists also believe that whiskers are excellent indicators of the mood that the dog supposedly uses to subdue and scare off a predator.

If you’re unfamiliar with this breed, you’re in luck. When you meet a wheat for the first time you are amazed by the beautiful coloration of its coat, hence its name, in contrast to dark and penetrating eyes, black lips and a large black nose. These terriers are gentle, outgoing dogs that will instantly become more friends than the typical terrier.

Let’s get to know this breed better by checking the numbers first. Males grow between 18-20 inches tall or 46-51 cm. while females measure between 17 and 19 inches or between 43 and 48 cm. Males weigh between 35-45 pounds or 16-20 kg. while females weigh between 30-40 pounds or 14-18 kg. These measurements directly place the dog in the medium size category.

You can expect the breed to survive for 12-15 years.

The roots of the dog are steeped in Irish tradition. This was not a dog of the upper class of society. By contrast, the Wheaten was bred by and for the average Irishman who needed a shepherd, hunting buddy, or vermin dispatcher. In fact, the breed was not recognized in the UK until the 1940s, and the AKC did so in 1973.

The Wheaten puppy is generally reddish brown in color and stays that way for about 3-4 months. The coat begins to change to the familiar warm wheat color during this time. Complete color transition will occur in 8-12 months. This very soft coat requires regular attention, such as frequent combing and brushing. Combing your hair is actually considered the best method. The coat has a tendency to tangle if left unattended. This becomes more acute if the coat gets wet. Today, the Wheaten is not considered an outdoor dog for this reason.

Also, the coat should be trimmed regularly. This is important for two reasons. As mentioned above, with the tendency to tangle, trimming the coat decreases this result. Second, although the dog does not shed, one of the main advantages of the breed is that trimming removes loose hair. For prospective dog owners who may be allergic to dogs, Wheaten is an excellent choice, for this reason.

Obedience training is very important. The breed has a tendency to jump and can be very excitable. Some consider them the best greeters in the kingdom of dogs. They are not afraid to wonder and will pounce on you as they decide to explore something new in their environment. We suggest that training start very early. They are quite sensitive and tend to reflect the mood of the owner, so positive and optimistic reinforcement is advisable, with a firm repetition regarding training.

The breed is emotionally well balanced and very determined to please. They can be very sociable with other dogs when introduced correctly. As protectors, they can be trusted to bark at unusual noise or visitors. That said, we wouldn’t categorize the Wheaten as a guard dog. They are too inclined to make friends. However, it is exactly this arrangement that makes the breed a wonderful choice for families with children. Their indulgent nature and willingness to romp around the house make them an immediate favorite with little ones.

Moderate exercise is recommended. You can expect the Wheaten to easily fit into your schedule with regards to walks and “play time.”

Separation anxiety can be a problem with Wheaten. It seems like every time you leave, they consider it a final event. It is best not to create unnecessary attention or excitement around the outings. Quit quietly and be sure to provide a reward upon your return to reinforce the desired behavior.

Wheats have very sensitive skin and do not respond well to flea or tick bites. Itchy skin and hot spots can be expected. They are also prone to various food allergies, ironically to wheat, for example. You should consult with a veterinarian for more details. They are also less tolerant of very hot weather. On the contrary, winter games in the snow are highly desirable. However, in general, Wheatens tend to be a healthy, long-lived breed with regular medical care and a balanced diet.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an excellent choice for families with children; for those who suffer from allergies or for those who are looking for a faithful friend for life. With moderate exercise, firm but friendly training, and regular grooming, the Wheaten will provide its owner with countless hours of company.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) dropped a bomb in early 2007 that can have a profound impact in the coming years on how we meet our need for cheap food and fuel.

In a report that measured the previous year’s corn crop, the USDA revealed that there was much less corn available than many experts had estimated. We all know what happens when demand exceeds supply. The next day, January 12, 2007, the price of corn soared.

Why should you care?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the skyrocketing price of corn may mean your food, energy, and housing bills will skyrocket.

You may be wondering, how can a simple grain like corn wreak so much havoc on my economy?

The answer is simple. Corn is not just that yellow grain that we chew every summer. Corn is used as feed in the meat and poultry industries. So expect those protein sources to go up in price. Corn is also used as a sweetener. But the taste can be bitter as the price of cereals, breads and sweets skyrockets.

But most importantly, America’s cornfields have become a new battlefield. And the fighters are those who need cheap food to survive and those who believe that corn is the panacea for high energy prices.

The rise in cereal prices is the result of growing interest in developing alternative fuels. Ethanol, which is derived from corn, is one of the most popular contenders.

Last year, in an article for Fortune magazine, Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute, said that demand for corn can have disastrous consequences. “The growing myth that corn is a panacea for our energy problems is leading us into a potentially dangerous global fight for food,” he wrote.

Brown believes that the competition for corn will mean that “cars, not people, will claim most of the increase in world grain consumption.”

Long before the USDA report was released, the price of corn had enjoyed a good rise. After hitting near-record lows in the summer of 2006, a pattern that has occurred almost every summer in the 21st century, corn began to move. By the end of November, the grain had risen more than $ 1, bringing the March 2007 futures price to about $ 3.90 a bushel.

Future traders who saw an opportunity in low prices last year are certainly satisfied. Every $ 1 in move-in price pays $ 5,000 per contract.

But Brown believes that rising food prices will endanger the lives of the world’s poorest people.

Jason Kottle, who blogs at Kottle.org, is concerned that one of the nations hardest hit by rising corn prices is the United States’ neighbor: Mexico. “Corn (maize) was probably first domesticated in Mexico and it continues to be the cornerstone of Mexican cuisine.”

And Mexico imports a large amount of corn from the United States because it is cheaper than local corn, Kottle wrote on his November 7, 2006 blog.

Meanwhile, at Lovecraft Biofuels in Silver Lake, California, Brian Friedman is converting late-model diesel-powered Mercedes Benz cars to run on vegetable oil. And business is booming, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Friedman’s company is driven by the notion that people can free themselves from the energy of the Middle East. But someday, not too far in the future, the owners of those cars may have a rude awakening.

Imagine those alternative fuel vehicle drivers strolling down the aisle of the store looking for food to fuel their car. They hit the corn oil shelf and find that the price has doubled and now they’re paying more for fuel than their neighbors who drive those old-fashioned fuel-injected hot-rods.

Is there a solution?

In my previous article Coverage of Household Expenses: Families can learn the secrets of corporate finance. I make it clear that individuals and families should not settle for higher prices.

In fact, families around the world cannot afford to tolerate inflated prices on food, housing and clothing, much less fuel.

For a free tutorial on grain trading, visit the Chicago Board of Trade website. Click education> publications and then search Introduction to trading CBOT agricultural options and futures.

Copyright 2007

Name of the bird:

Blue tit

Latin name:

Cyanistes caeruleus (before Parus caeruleus)

Condition:

Least concern

Scientific classification:

Animal Kingdom

Edge: Chordata

Class: Birds

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Paridae

Gender: Cyanists

Species: C. caeruleus

General information:

These are active and lively birds. They are welcomed by gardeners because they eat aphids.

Physical description:

Blue tit have a distinctive blue crown with white edges, with a narrow black stripe running through each eye. The cheeks are white. The underparts are bright yellow and the back is greyish. There is a white bar on the top of its blue wings. The tail is blue. The sexes are similar but the females are duller. The average length is 12 cm.

Diet:

Their diet is made up of invertebrates, seeds, and nuts.

Habitat:

The range is throughout Europe with the exception of northern Scandinavia. They are also present in northwestern Africa. Blue tit live in wooded areas, parks and gardens. They nest in tree hollows or nest boxes. Couples will return to the same holes each season, and when one couple dies, another couple will take over.

Reproduction:

The clutch size of the blue tit is 7 to 16 eggs that are white with reddish-brown markings. Incubation takes 12 to 13 days and is done only by the female, although the male will bring her food. The young are fed by both parents. Young blue tit leaves the nest before they can fly properly and are therefore vulnerable to predators (mainly cats). Those that survive are distinguished as young by their yellowish cheeks. The large size of the clutch is related to the high mortality.

When I hunt small animals with my friends Chris and Dave, the wives always want to try something different with the rabbit we bring home. Here’s a recipe the whole family will enjoy. This recipe for rabbit stew is thickened with a simmered dark roux that turns into rabbit etouffée. The method creates a gourmet flavor without the risks of thickening with raw liver and crème fraîche, the traditional finishing touch of gourmet chefs. Serve this delicious, slightly spicy stew over rice, cheese grits, or polenta. If you prefer the Greek version of stifado, you can remove the spicy ingredients and replace them with cinnamon, juniper berries, and allspice.

Creole rabbit stew recipe

Roux ingredients:

½ cup of flour

½ cup oil

Preparation method:

Mix ingredients in a thick glass, oven safe bowl, or measuring cup. Use a deep bowl, or the roux will spill when microwaved. Cook for six minutes. Stir and continue cooking in minute increments until the roux is very dark in color. Total cooking time can take 12 minutes. Transfer the hot roux to a plate to cool and wipe off any excess oil that has built up. Alternatively, you can cook the roux over low to medium heat in a cast iron skillet on the stove, but you need to stir constantly until the roux is browned, which takes 30-45 minutes.

Rabbit stew ingredients:

1 large rabbit, cut into 8 pieces

1 chopped onion

½ cup of chopped celery

½ red, yellow or green bell pepper, chopped or a mixture of all three

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 ounces bacon, chopped

1 tsp dried thyme, basil and parsley or 2 tsp. fresh herbs, chopped

1 bay leaf

2 jalapeno peppers, chopped

¼ teaspoon red bell pepper, white bell pepper, and black bell pepper

Salt to taste

12 small new potatoes

1 cup pearl onions, peeled and root tips removed

1 cup mushrooms, quartered or sliced

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 cups of chicken broth

1 cup diced tomatoes

Preparation method:

– Salt the rabbit pieces and add olive oil to a large Dutch oven or brazier.

– Fry the chopped bacon until golden brown and remove with a slotted spoon.

– Brown the pieces of rabbit and remove.

– Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery and cook until slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes.

– Drain the vegetables and oil, deglaze the pan with red wine. – Add the broth, bacon, pieces of rabbit, herbs, mushrooms and drained vegetables and bring the mixture to a simmer. You can simmer the dish over the stovetop or covered coals in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

– Cook over low heat or bake for 90 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook until just tender.

– Remove the rabbit pieces and thicken the rabbit stew with drained roux to the preferred thickness. You can remove the rabbit meat from the bones if you want, but the dish makes a better presentation if you leave them.

Serve this rabbit stew recipe by serving one or two pieces of rabbit, vegetables, and sauce over semolina, rice, or polenta in a presentation bowl and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley, chervil, or cilantro. Garlic bread, jalapeno cornbread, or crisp French or Italian bread, and green salad make rabbit stew a satisfying meal. This dish is a bit spicy, but you can skip the red, white and jalapeno peppers, substituting exotic spices to transform the dish into a classic Greek stifado.

Subspecies and propagation:

Lacerta agilis agilis , Western Europe and Western Central Europe.

Lacerta agilis argus, Central Eastern Europe and Northern Balkans, Northeastern Italy.

Lacerta agilis boemica, Northeast Caucasus.

Lacerta agilis bosnica, Mountains of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Greece.

Lacerta agilis brevicaudata, Transcaucasia and northeastern Turkey.

Lacerta agilis exigua, Easter of the Dnjepr River and North Caucasus, East of Lake Baikal and Issyk-Kul and Northwest China.

Lacerta agilis grusinica, Caucasian coast of the Black Sea and adjacent coast of northeastern Turkey.

Lacerta agilis chersonensis, Bulgarian and Romanian lowlands, eastern Poland and western Russia.

Lacerta agilis ioriensis, Upper reaches of the Iori River in the Caucasus.

Description:

Snout-ventral length (SVL) about 8 cm and tail about 1.5 times the SVL.

Colors and patterns vary between subspecies and populations. Brown or gray ground color predominates with numerous dark brown or black spots, particularly along a darker dorsal stripe. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism that is particularly evident in the breeding season, when males turn vivid green along the flanks. Males have a wider head, are more robust and on average are slightly larger than females. Juveniles are similar in color to adults but lack green pigmentation. Hatchlings measure about 2 cm SVL, between 5.5 cm and 6.5 cm in total length.

The maximum shelf life is 12 years.

Habitat:

The species prefers heaths with sand or sandy soil, it also inhabits sand dune habitats in some areas. This species also has a preference for south-facing slopes, especially at northern altitudes. These areas are also necessary for the laying and incubation of eggs during the breeding season.

Terrarium:

Inside:

One pair should be kept in a minimum 50cm x 30cm x 30cm terrarium with sand as substrate, a wet part and a dry part at a depth of 10-15cm. The wet sand of this depth ensures that the females dig burrows in which they lay their eggs, also to increase the relative humidity in the enclosure. Note that males are territorial, so only one male / enclosure.

Chunks of bark, pieces of pots, low branches and leaves are also added to provide cover and climbing ability.

Provide a bowl of water, but also spray water every morning or evening to make sure the animals are drinking.

A spotlight on a piece of bark is a good spot for sunbathing, the species needs UV-B lighting. Temperatures that range between 25 ° C and 27 ° C during the day and reach 35 ° C at the point of the sun. The night temperature drops from 14 ° C to 18 ° C. The daytime photoperiod remains constant from 12 to 14 hours / day in the summer.

Exterior:

A 3 x 4 meter enclosure can accommodate 2 males and 2 females of this species.

The enclosure should be well planted with a variety of vegetation to mimic natural habitats. Heavy logs / roots and flat stones / rocks or flagstones should be provided for sunbathing spots and cover. Flowering plants are good for attracting insects in search of a variety of natural foods. Feed them a few crickets from time to time to make sure the animals get the amount of food they need. Use a watering can to give the enclosure and animals a gentle shower of drinking water once a day.

Reproduction:

This species requires a hibernation period to trigger mating behavior in the spring. This is done by placing the animals in an aerated box with a layer / bedding deeply moistened with Sphagnum moss. The box is placed in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 4 ° C for about 4 to 5 months, from November to April.

Mating takes place between March and May and the eggs are laid from the end of May to July.

Northern populations lay a single clutch of eggs and southern populations up to 2 clutches per year. 4 to 18 eggs / clutch, which take about 12 weeks to hatch.

Food:

Lizards will accept almost all types of insects, earthworms, and occasionally sweet fruits and flowers. All non-outdoor food should be dusted with vitamins and calcium supplements.

Although the dense and hard characteristics of blue stone make it a very popular choice for both interior and exterior paving projects, it is a stone that tends to develop stains over time. This can have a very detrimental effect on the appearance of your stone, especially if the stains are left for long periods of time to ooze and further take root on the surface of the bluestone pavers. Use this guide to help you remove stains as soon as you see them.

Cleaning

You should always start by thoroughly cleaning your bluestone pavers; You never know when this simple method will actually get rid of that pesky stain. Use a neutral cleaner specially made for use on natural stone (even better if it is designed for blue stone), a special stone soap, or a mild liquid detergent (the kind used for washing dishes). Add this to a bucket of warm water and use a mop or soft cloth to apply the solution to the pavers.

Stain remover

If a simple cleaning wasn’t effective in removing the stains your bluestone has developed, one of these methods should be able to do the trick.

• Organic: These are pinkish brown spots that are caused by coffee, fruit, and leaves left on the surface of the blue stone. On exterior surfaces, simply remove offending material and let the sun wash away the stain with bleach. On interior surfaces, use a water-based solution, a few drops of ammonia, and 12 percent hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain.
• Petroleum: These stains often appear greasy and are caused by cooking oils and greasy foods left on the surface of the blue stone. Use a liquid cleaner, such as dishwashing liquid, mixed with water to remove.
• Ink: These stains can be removed on lighter blue stone with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. For a darker stone, use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove the marks.
• Biological: These stains are caused by the growth of mold or algae; You will need to kill the bacteria on the blue stone to remove it effectively. Use half a cup of ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide that has been diluted in water (only use one and never mix these chemicals).
• Metal: These stains are caused by rusty furniture that seeps into the blue stone below and is very difficult to remove. You may need to mix a poultice to remove the stain.

Regardless of the dense and hard nature of bluestone, it can still be stained if not handled or maintained properly. If you notice that your stone has developed stains as a result of spillage or weathering, try using one of the techniques above to remove it and restore your blue stone to its former glory.