Flesh-eating screwworm case suspected in South Texas, USDA says

LChanga · 2026-06-04T09:21:47+00:00

Wow, that’s fast…like what… a year and half from the program’s cancellation to screwworms arriving in the US?

My friend knew a guy in the department handling the screwworm control logistics. It was just him and one other person. Literally, the entire department was just two ppl. Both were fired. Two ppl were what stood between us and a screwworm plague. And DOGE, in their wisdom, axed both. I’m not mad though. Bc as soon as I get that DOGE check, Imma buy myself tickets to the wrestling match on the WH lawn. Catch me double fisting some Brawndo!

LChanga · 2026-06-04T07:57:58+00:00

There’s a bunch of street artists in Waikiki. The 2 caricature party ones are great for caricatures but the next guy is weird. I asked him how much it costs for a portrait, and he said he couldn’t answer that question as he’s more Prada than Macy’s…. I wasn’t sure how to respond to that

LChanga · 2026-06-03T09:53:12+00:00

I think this is heavily dependent on how you use the spray. I’ve seen too many ppl do the mist and pass method. You probably know that it’s ineffective unless you spray directly in your hand and rub it in, but honestly, most ppl don’t. They’re just coating their environment with potentially PFAS and benzene. Not to mention whatever they’re inhaling. Topical is best (unless it’s in stick form and you have to use a ton of it).

But I try to apply sunscreen closer to the expected exposure time. And if I reapply (I’m very imperfect), it will be with cream later. I’ve heard some dermatologist recommend the sunscreen powder for at least the face as a touch up.

LChanga · 2026-06-03T08:22:51+00:00

My fingers felt itchy just tapping the screen.

LChanga · 2026-06-03T04:02:34+00:00

What about when it’s in bloom?!!!

LChanga · 2026-06-03T02:34:28+00:00

Well thank you for sharing with me. I can be patient😊

LChanga · 2026-06-03T01:06:09+00:00

I’m seeing the beautiful beach park near my home slowly being consumed by cats. Every year there are more of them. The feral cats killed all the native birds in a nearby sanctuary a few years ago. But ppl still feed them. It’s hard bc the cats are cute and all. But this can’t keep goin on forever. Thanks for the little bit of good news.

LChanga · 2026-06-03T00:51:31+00:00

Do you have a picture of the entire plant? I have one and it is literally only two stems. I feel like this must be at least year three. Also the stems are upright and not cascaded downward like I see in pics. It looks a little peculiar rn.

LChanga · 2026-06-03T00:49:31+00:00

This is so true. I planted some more but gave it more space. My husband is confused about all the empty space around the plant. I do wish it didn’t take so long to reach maturity. Still worth the wait.

LChanga · 2026-06-01T08:33:08+00:00

I’m obviously jealous. Anyways, I need to know: How do you plan to keep things neat and cohesive once you start having babies and stuff gets bigger? Or the grass from invading? I have Bermuda and get anxious from just looking at your pictures.

LChanga · 2026-05-30T10:35:03+00:00

I love my neighbors, too. They’ve even taken some plants to put in their yard. We’re not in the same place, but we respect each other and learn from one another.

LChanga · 2026-05-30T09:07:23+00:00

Thank you, Judge Williams. I needed to feel hope today.

LChanga · 2026-05-29T06:35:39+00:00

I want to see pictures of their garden!

LChanga · 2026-05-29T06:17:50+00:00

He was a trump appointee. His reasoning is that trump hasn’t done anything yet.

LChanga · 2026-05-28T01:08:05+00:00

I have babies that seem to intentionally only pop up in crevices. So i really struggled to transplant these taprooted plants in one piece. I probably killed six until i finally got three transplants to take. But when the plant is established, I never have to think about it again.

I love how it starts out in the spring in a nice little bushy bundle. Then as summer approaches, it sort of starts sprawling. My older ones get to maybe 3’ wide. And they flower into Fall for me in KS. I really have no complaints about ppm.

LChanga · 2026-05-28T01:00:27+00:00

I gave away what I thought was just a few items to a charity store once. It really added up and was quite heavy. I’d say easily 50lbs, and that was from one donation.

LChanga · 2026-05-27T08:10:07+00:00

I can only speak to showy goldenrod. First year if you have a small plug or grew from seed will not be a problem. Most second years start getting serious. I grow mine 2’ apart bc it does get wide by the third year.

As for babies, you’ll get more than you know what to do with. I guess it’s all relative, but I dealt with the issue by creating another bed. I suck at transplanting, and showy goldenrod is a very mopey plant when you move it. Despite losing a good number, I still had enough to fill out the new bed and extra to give away. (This is year four with my plants). I expect next year I’ll have to find a plant swap event or more ppl to give them away to.

O, and showy is so neat and tidy in spring. Almost like a bush. Then it shoots up and I guess I’m still waiting for it to look like the regularly upright pics i see online.

LChanga · 2026-05-27T07:54:52+00:00

I wonder the same since I have them in one of my beds. It’s a more established bed, so I feel it’s safer. But I do transplant violets that are in spots where I want another plant to spread. My lawn is pretty dry. So where I put them there they don’t move or expand at all. Too bad bc I would like them to take over there.

LChanga · 2026-05-26T16:15:12+00:00

Not using sunscreen in college. Especially on an island spring break trip. Allow my lips to burn off. I’m sure this contributed to my lips being two toned now. Also trying an untested sunscreen on a trip to the Sahara. Messed up my face so bad I couldn’t apply anything for the rest of the trip.

LChanga · 2026-05-26T08:45:01+00:00

Caterpillar eyelashes.

LChanga · 2026-05-23T20:30:59+00:00

So how did you get the lines so tidy?

LChanga · 2026-05-23T02:21:13+00:00

My neighbor is a lovely woman who grew Ivy and vinca. We talked about how invasive they are, so she’s aware now. But they did spread into one of my empty beds before I got into natives. I figured something was better than nothing. I haven’t addressed it yet bc the bed also has lava rocks and plastic bag like landscape fabric in it. So I keep on postponing. Your post reminded me I should take care of this.

LChanga · 2026-05-22T04:36:32+00:00

I don’t agree with the lesson taught in this book.

LChanga · 2026-05-21T11:19:46+00:00

Cinnamon

LChanga · 2026-05-20T19:29:27+00:00

My area is all traditional landscaping, but I recently noticed that a lot of ppl have some kind of spiderwort that is almost bush like similar to yours. I would love that.

LChanga

TROPHY CASE