Consumer Reports

Last week our guest blogger, Erin Pierce, wrote about Making Every Day Earth Day . In keeping with the theme of doing good things for our planet and going green, my Friday blog is dedicated to trees. The last Friday in the month of April is designated as National Arbor Day . All around the country there are many schools and organizations carrying out tree planting activities. I remember, as a kid, my teacher had us plant a tree and write a report on our favorite tree. I wrote about the weeping willow in our backyard. My sisters and I used to climb all over that thing. I confess to playing “Tarzan.” I would swing from the vine-like branches doing my best jungle yell. Carol Burnett’s “Tarzan yell” was better, but I think I was a close second. Our lovely weeping willow began cracking and dying, so it had to be removed. The tree was large and it had to be cut down in sections. My dad did the cutting, but it was our job to hold the rope and pull when needed. Being a bit of a slacker, I wasn’t really holding the rope… actually, I think I was pretending to be a ballerina dancing around. A large branch broke and my sister, who was dutifully holding the rope, was dragged across the yard on her back as the branch came down. I thought that was the funniest thing, but my dad, who was nearly knocked off the ladder by the branch, did not. I got into big trouble. I held a grudge against all trees for awhile, but I eventually forgave them. If you like trees and/or are interested in participating in Arbor Day, here are some resources to check out: Arbor Day Foundation has planting and pruning guides as well as a map to determine the types of trees best suited for your area. Climate Change Information Climate Change Tree Atlas Cooling Your Home Naturally How to Prune Trees How to Recognize Hazardous Defects in Trees Prepare Your Trees for Winter Protecting Trees From Construction Damage Sierra Redwood Trees State Trees Trees by Joyce Kilmer United States National Arboretum Throughout the country many schools encourage and educate children on the benefits of planting trees. To see what your state or city is doing for Arbor Day, go to USA.gov and search on Arbor Day and the name of your state.

One summer I went to the swimming pool with my much older cousins and their friends. At the time, I was taking swimming lessons and I really liked playing around in water. I was wearing a one-piece swimsuit with a little skirt and feeling quite cool hanging out with the older kids. I was having fun until someone decided it would be funny to dunk me. The first time, no problem. I came back up and laughed it off, but then it turned into a dunking “free-for-all” with all of the kids piling onto each other. I went down again, but suddenly big kids were being dunked and falling on top of me. A guy stepped on my frilly swimsuit skirt and it pinned me to the bottom of the pool. I tried to free myself, but kids kept falling or stepping on me. I don’t recall if I saw my brief eight years of life flash before my eyes, but I was definitely freaking out with panic. In my flailing to free myself, I whacked the guy in the privates and he shifted his weight. I was freed! I came up to the surface coughing up water and I barfed up my lunch in the pool. Note: When it comes to clearing people out of a pool, lunchtime flotsam and jetsam in the pool comes in a close second to a Baby Ruth candy bar (remember Caddyshack?) I came away from that experience with 2 things: a pretty strong fear/discomfort with swimming/water; and the fascinating knowledge that partially digested cheese doodles and a baloney sandwich with mayonnaise turns neon green when it contacts chlorine. I was in my 30’s when I finally tackled and overcame my water fear. I forced myself to take a water aerobics class, retaught myself to swim, and eventually became a scuba-diver. The barf memory? I live with it daily. Hey, what doesn’t kill you… makes you stronger. So, you are probably wondering where I am going with all of this. Well, Memorial Day is on Monday and in many places it is traditional to reopen pools this weekend. Before you turn your little water-rats loose at the pools, lakes, or oceans, review one of these safety guides with them: FCIC Water Safety for Swimmers Medlineplus – Water Safety Water Safety Fun Book Water Safety Quiz Water Safety Tips Brochure Water Safety Checklist One final tip not mentioned in any of these guides, but it goes without saying, tell your kids, “Don’t pee in the pool!” Have a safe swimming season!