Now, this sounds like a great way to spend a north European winter...anyone tempted?

As winter approaches, insects come up with a variety of strategies to survive the freezing temperatures of the season. Most head for some cover (including our homes!) where they will be partially insulated from the most severe effects of the weather.

But more fundamentally, insects undergo body changes that favor their cold-hardiness. One of the most common changes is that they produce glycerol in their blood -- a natural anti-freeze. Insects also can partially dehydrate their cells which further lowers their freezing point.

Furthermore, to ensure that the insect does not emerge prematurely during a winter warm spell, it goes into a state of semi-dormancy, known as diapause. Diapause can only be broken when the proper environmental signal is received, such as a critical day length or a minimum period of chilling. until the diapause signal occurs, insects remain dormant and inactive.

Although it's only early August, I am already in fear of the cold. Call me what you like, as I am a southerner in blood...half latin indeed, so my broken spine will not enjoy those damp weeks, drizzly days, and unbroken cloudy months of but one degree.

I may be left in awe of the hibernating invisibles!!!

We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.
~Bill Vaughan

Deep in the sun-searched growths the dragonfly
Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky.
~Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Silent Noon

Now, I'm finally having my strong coffee, and croissant for breakfast, as I need to enjoy food more fully than in past weeks. Hospital food has been very boring.
Last night I made garlic chips, using garden herbs, with black olives, ham, gherkin and onions. Also some red wine too!

This forthcoming week, will once again bring hospitals, doctors, and consultations, so I'm here to enjoy THIS moment.

Try this;

Imagine yourself driving along on a wild stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose, knowing full well that there could only be one passenger in your car.
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application. You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life,
and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However; you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.