Smelling Celebrities

Flowers and Names


You may have walked past and even gotten close enough to smell a Barbara Bush, Chevy Chase or Prince Charles without being aware of it. You may think this is impossible, but if you've ever been to a rose garden, the possibility of walking past a celebrity -- a celebrity-named rose that is -- is endless. Breeders have named hundreds of roses after famous people, real and fictional, from movie stars to entertainers and even royalty

Fictional Characters

The 'Sir Lancelot' floribunda rose features amber, peach and pink swirls. Both the tea rose and floribunda named after Snow White are, of course, pure white, while the miniature blooms on 'Cinderella' miniature are white with light pink markings. The 'Robin Hood' shrub blooms with small bright red roses while 'Othello' roses blend red with bright pink. A climbing vine honors ladies' man Don Juan and features romantic deep red, ruffled roses with an intense damask scent. 'Frankly Scarlet' honors the beloved "Gone with the Wind" heroine, and is, naturally, deep scarlet.

Artists, Composers and Authors

The 'William Shakespeare' rose blazes with burgundy red petals, while Chaucer's rose boasts a yellow center surrounded by light pink. 'Mozart' is bright pink with a white center on a modern shrub rose. Breeders recognized Michelangelo's contributions with two roses--an orange floribunda and a yellow hybrid tea. 'Agatha Christie' scrambles up pillars and posts in a climbing vine suffused with pale pink blooms.

Crooners and Rockers

Barbra Streisand's hybrid tea rose blends lavender and mauve, while Bing Crosby's tall shrub hybrid tea bears handsome dark orange blooms with a mild spice fragrance. Dolly Parton's spirit is embodied with a big-bloomed red-orange blossom suffused with a rose-clove fragrance, and fellow country singers Reba McEntire and LeeAnn Rimes are honored with an orange-red grandiflora and pink-yellow hybrid tea, respectively.

Royalty

Several roses have honored England's Queen Elizabeth and the various anniversaries of her crowning. The award-winning 'Queen Elizabeth' grandiflora offers striking pink blossoms which seem to let sunlight shine through the petals. 'Princesse de Monaco' celebrates the former Grace Kelly with a large-flowered hybrid tea in white with pink edging and a fruity fragrance. Princess Diana's legacy lives on with a blended-pink hybrid tea rose.

Movie Stars


The 'Ingrid Bergman' hybrid tea rose boasts masses of deep red blooms, while breeders celebrate Bergman's frequent costar Cary Grant with another hybrid tea, this one bright orange with gold streaks. Dramatic pink petals adorn the 'Elizabeth Taylor' hybrid tea. And while she usually graces the small, rather than silver, screen, Rosie O'Donnell gets the "a rose for a rosie" with a multicolored hybrid tea rose sporting red petals with bright yellow undersides. Marilyn Monroe lives on with a luscious apricot hybrid tea and Audrey Hepburn is remembered with a light pink hybrid tea. Vivacious Judy Garland gets an equally vivid rose named for her--a scarlet, orange and yellow floribunda.

Icons

Florence Nightingale's floribunda fits nicely in a container, and bears ruffled, cream-colored blooms. Julia Child personally selected her legacy rose, a frilled floribunda colored in the warm tone of butter--of course--with a strong anise candy scent. The 'Amelia Earhart' hybrid tea sports pointed cream petals on the outer petals, intensifying to a buttery yellow in the center.


For more info:

http://www.allaboutrosegardening.com/Roses-named-after-famous-people.html

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/names/rose.htm

208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

Plant Doctor

Plants are powerful healers

There is general agreement amongst scientists that plants improve the indoor environment and are useful in fighting the modern phenomenon of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

No specific cause of SBS has been identified but poor air quality, excessive background noise and inadequate control of light and humidity are all thought to be important factors.
Because plants have large surface areas and exchange gases and water with their surroundings, plants can help tackle some of these issues.

Particular benefits of interior plants include:

1.    Reducing carbon dioxide levels

2.    Increasing humidity

3.    Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide

4.    Reducing airborne dust levels

5.    Keeping air temperatures down

House Plants do more than just brighten up a room with color and living energy. Along with being pleasing to the eye, they bring real health benefits to your body. Not only do complaints about headaches, stress, heart/circulation-symptoms and colds decrease when indoor plants are present.

The good news is that a classic NASA study found that common house plants could improve air quality. In fact, they reported that houseplants were able to remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours. The recommendation? Use 15 to 18 "good-sized" house plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers for an 1,800 square-foot house.

Here are a few plants and one recipe that showcase their healing ability.

Aloe vera

Aloe is a cactus-like succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves. The aloe family probably originated in Africa, but it has been cultivated all over the world for centuries.

The gel from Aloe Vera leaves has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns and other skin conditions. It may also be the most important plant discovered for digestive health. More than 60 million North Americans suffer from frequent heartburn and drinking homegrown aloe juice will reduce the acid in your stomach immediately.

Directions for use:

· Using a sharp knife, peel away the rind from aloe leaves to extract six ounces of gel.

· Discard the rind.

· Peel away the top yellow layer (the aloe latex) and discard.

· Transfer the aloe gel to a blender and add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon and 1/2 cup of water.

· Blend on high speed until smooth (but not frothy). Drink immediately.

Haskap

These berries are touted to be the super berries of the coming years. It's known by the Japanese as the 'fruit of the longevity'. The Haskap fruit is similar to blueberries in colour, but it is elongated and slightly cylindrical - more like a mini plum. The Haskap berry is known to have five times the amount of anti-oxidant found in a blueberry, making it an antioxidant superfood. It helps prevent heart disease, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and osteoporosis. It's also well suited to the North American climate.

Directions for use:

· 1 cup haskap berries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp chia seeds
8 ice cubes

· In a blender, combine all the ingredients above (sweeten with honey to taste) and blend on high speed until smooth.

Comfrey

This plant is nature's answer to a band-aid. Comfrey's ability to help heal wounds comes from a compound called allantoin, which is believed to reduce inflammation and promote new cell growth.

Modern science seems to back up traditional beliefs. In one study, for example, a 35% comfrey cream applied topically to ankle sprains was very effective at treating tenderness, swelling, and pain even when compared with anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical creams.

Directions for use:

· In a blender, puree the comfrey leaves with enough water to make a thick paste.

· In a small heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water (acting as a double boiler), melt the coconut oil and beeswax, stirring occasionally.

· Add the pureed comfrey and mix thoroughly. Transfer the mixture to a small glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Once the cream has cooled and solidified, apply it liberally to the affected area. The cream will keep in a cool, dry place for a year.

Capsicum

This hot pepper has the ability to block “substance P”, capsicum is also helpful for metabolism and weight loss.

If you already “like it hot,” you may have an advantage when it comes to keeping off the pounds. Research shows capsicum can help you lose weight in three ways: by increasing your metabolism (you can burn an extra 50 or more calories per day), improving your energy expenditure, and reducing your appetite.

Directions for use:

· Consume 10 grams of cayenne pepper with food daily to eat less

· Alternative to having in your food, you can make your own easy-to-swallow capsules at home.

· 1,000 milligrams empty gelatin capsules (purchase at your local health food store)

· Sun dry 30 peppers and place in a blender, cover with the lid, and pulverize to a fine powder.

· Take 5 capsules twice daily with food to enjoy a significantly reduced appetite and an increased metabolism

208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

Turn up the heat

Hot sauce, also known as chili sauce or pepper sauce refers to any spicy sauce condiment made from chili peppers and other ingredients. Humans have used chili peppers and other hot spices for thousands of years. Inhabitants of Mexico, Central America and South America had chili peppers more than 6,000 years ago

At the wimpy end of the chart, the bell peppers in your garden rate a nice fat zero. Anaheim, Cherry, and Pepperoncini earn between 100 and 500. Kick it up to between 1,000 and 1,500 and you have your Poblano. Now we can start to feel the heat.

Jalapeños are hotter but still rate at the lower end of the scale between 2,500 and 5,000. Dry and smoke a Jalapeño, and you have a Chipotle and up to 10,000 Scovilles. Serrano, at 10,000 - 23,000, and Cayenne, at 30,000-50,000, pave the way to the big leagues.

We get serious with the Japanese Santake and the Thai, 50,000 to 100,000. The real bruisers, though, are the Jamaican Hot (up to 200,000), Scotch Bonnet (up to 250,000), and the Habanero at up to 350,000.

Of course, someone always has to break the mold (we should know). The Red Savina variety of Habanero is the current confirmed record-holder at 577,000.

Don't touch your eyes after chopping one of these babies. Better yet, don't touch anything!

Good for you!


This hot sauce is a good remedy for a stuffy nose. It may not seem real hot at first, but it will sneak up on you. If you don’t enjoy heat, this isn’t for you. There are hotter sauces out there I’m sure, but this isn’t for sissies. I eat it on many things, from meat to vegetables.

1 (28 ounces) can whole canned tomatoes, peeled
4 jalapeno peppers
3 habanero peppers
2 cubanelle peppers (can use any mild & flavorful pepper) (optional)
2-4 cloves garlic
salt (I use kosher)

1. Boil peppers in water for about 10 minutes, or until jalapenos turn from deep emerald-like green to an olive green (They should be soft, but not mushy).
2. Remove peppers from water and cut off stem caps, but do not remove seeds.
3. Place peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and a teaspoon of salt into a food processor.
4. Blend in the food processor for 20-30 seconds, depending upon desired consistency.
5. Taste the sauce, and if necessary, add more salt (pulse-mix a few times to stir in any added salt).
6. Pour into a re-sealable container or jar and enjoy with chips or use as a condiment.
7. When sinuses begin to”clear up,” and they will, use kleenex.
8. NOTE: After using the food processor, it is sometimes best to open in a well ventilated area.
9. The fumes from processing boiling hot peppers can take your breath away.

by Mark Hendricks

Read more: Sinus-Aid Hot Sauce | Hot Sauce Blog - Hot Sauce Reviews & More!Hot Sauce Blog http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/sinus-aid-hot-sauce/#ixzz3xLVthBwb

208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)
http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

 

More about love: A lovely place to live!

More about love:            A lovely place to live

A few of these romantic or Valentine's Day towns no longer exist, while others have dwindled to just a few buildings. But they're all actual places, whose names have come to be linked with Valentine's Day or romance.

 Place names associated with Valentine's Day or romance

Valentine, Shelby County, Alabama, U,S.A.
Valentine, Mohave County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Valentine, Pulaski County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Valentine, LaGrange County, Indiana, U.S.A.
Valentine, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Valentine, Aitkin County, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Valentine, Fergus County, Montana, U.S.A.
Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska (named for Edward Kimball Valentine, a judge and three-term Republican Congressman who represented Cherry County from 1879-1885)
Valentine, Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Valentine, Shelby County, Ohio, U.S.A. (historical)
Valentine, Hampton County, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Valentine, Jeff Davis County, Texas, U.S.A.
Valentines, Brunswick County, Virginia, U.S.A.
Valentines Beach, Onondaga County, New York, U.S.A.
Valentine Creek, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Romance, White County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Romance, Ozark County, Missouri, U.S.A.
Romance, Noble County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Romance, Jackson County, West Virginia, U.S.A.
Romance, Vernon County, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Cupid, Winneshiek County, Iowa, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow, Nez Perce County, Idaho, U.S.A.
Cupid, Harper County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow, Pike County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Cupid, Frontier County, Nebraska, U.S.A. (historical)
Arrow, Maury County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Romeo, Conejos County, Colorado, U.S.A.
Romeo, Marion County, Florida, U.S.A.
Romeo, Macomb County, Michigan, U.S.A.
Romeo, Greene County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Mount Juliet, Wilson County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Love, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.
Love, Bureau County, Illinois, U.S.A.
Love, Butler County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Love, DeSoto County, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Love, Cass County, Texas, U.S.A.
Love, Augusta County, Virginia (after all, as their motto says, "Virginia Is For Lovers!")
Lovers Leap, El Dorado County, California, U.S.A.
Love Canal, Niagara County, New York, U.S.A.
Love Hill, Houston County, Alabama, U.S.A.
Love Lady, Pickett County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Love Lake, Macon County, Missouri, U.S.A.
Love Point, Queen Anne's County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Loveville, St. Mary's County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Loveville, Davidson County, Tennessee, U.S.A. (historical)
Lover, Washington County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Loving, Fannin County, Georgia, U.S.A.
Loving, Warren County, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Loving, Eddy County, New Mexico, U.S.A.
Loving, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Loving, Young County, Texas, U.S.A.
Loveland, Larimer County, Colorado, U.S.A.
Loveland, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, U.S.A.
Loveland, Tillman County, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Loveland, Pierce County, Washington, U.S.A.
Loveland Park, Ohio, U.S.A.
Loveladies, Ocean County, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Heart, Fulton County, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Heart Butte, Pondera County, Montana, U.S.A.
Heart Lake, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

PUNCTUATION NOTE: The U.S. government does not use possessive apostrophes in U.S. place names. Even when proper punctuation would call for the use of a possessive apostrophe in a city or town name, they are not used. When the name of local businesses, or street names incorporate the town's name, that specific usage may utilize an apostrophe.

The Flower NOOK
 208 E. Iron Avenue
Salina, KS 67401
Local: (785) 827-0351
Toll Free: (800) 499-NOOK (6665)http://flowernooksalina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlowerNookSalina

 

Just for you Santa!

 

 

England

In England, children leave out a sweet treat for Santa Clause. Instead of cookies and milk, the tradition in England is to leave out some mince pies and milk.

Chile

In Chile, children prepare a pan de Pascua for Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas, as he is lovingly called. Pan de Pascua translates to Easter Bread, but it is a traditional Christmas treat, made of sponge cake flavored with candied fruit, ginger, and honey. It is typically part of the night’s meal, too. After a dessert of the sweet treat, family members exchange gifts, so the kids leave some for Santa in the hopes he will leave something for them, too.

Denmark

In Denmark, Father Christmas and his sneaky little elves, or nisser, who take up shop in the attic of homes to keep an eye on things, expect to find a bowl of Christmas rice pudding waiting for them on Christmas Eve. The pudding, called risengrød, is made with sugar, cinnamon, and milk, and is also part of Christmas Eve dinner. Forget to leave it out and Santa and the nisser are said to play some cheeky little tricks. 

Kids in the Netherlands spoil Sinterklaas’ steed, not Sinter himself. Carrots, hay, and water are left out for Sinter to feed his horse for the long night’s journey. In return, he leaves marzipan, chocolate coins, hot cocoa, and mandarin oranges.

Philippines

The Feast of the Three Kings marks the end of the Christmas celebrations in the Philippines. On Three Kings Day, January 6, kids leave out shiny shoes and squeaky-clean socks just begging to be filled with gifts. Oh, sorry, were you Three Kings hungry? Well, drop the presents and get yourself to a diner, ‘cause there’s nothing to see, or eat, here — ironically, no food is left out during the so-called feast

France

One might expect cheese and Champagne to be the go-to midnight snack in France, but that’s not the case when it comes to Santa, or Père Noël as he is known in France.  Children in France leave out some carrots and some biscuits for Père Noël by the fireplace. Sometimes, they put the carrots and biscuits in their shoes, which they leave out for the night to find some them stuffed with some trinkets, treats, and toys when they wake. 

In America:

 

When it comes to Christmas, cookies and milk are tradition — at least at holiday time here in the States. The ritual of leaving out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa — and sometimes carrots for Santa’s reindeer — has become routine in the U.S.



Greens for the Holidays

Types of Greenery
Many different kinds of greenery can be used for holiday decorations. Pines, firs and cedars are good to use for indoor decoration since they dry out slowly and hold their needles best at warm interior temperatures. They may last for several weeks if properly treated and cared for. Hemlock, spruces and most broadleaf evergreens will last longer if used outdoors.

Below are some suggested varieties to use in holiday decorating.

White Pine: This soft, bluish-green, long-needled pine has excellent needle retention but wilts visibly if dry. It is readily available as premade garland and wreaths.

Virginia Pine: This native pine has shorter, coarser needles, and is long-lasting, with excellent needle retention. Virginia pine is readily available.

Junipers: Fragrant, short, green or silver-blue foliage that may be adorned with small blue berries. The needles are often sticky. Red cedar is a native juniper and is readily available.

True Cedars: Deodar cedar, blue atlas cedar, and cedar-of-Lebanon all have a wonderful fragrance. If small male cones are present, spray them with lacquer or acrylic to prevent the messy release of pollen at room temperature.

Firs: All firs have wonderful scent and good tolerance of hot, dry indoor conditions. The needles are short and flat with excellent color and needle retention. Fraser fir wreaths and swags are commonly available from commercial sources.

Spruce: Wreaths are the main use for spruce greens. The branches are stiff with short, sharp needles. Blue spruce is especially attractive because of its color, and it holds its needles better than other spruce. Needle retention is poorer on spruce than on other conifer greens.

Ivy: This vigorous vine is readily available in many yards. It makes an excellent green for holiday arrangements. The cut ends must be kept in water, or the ivy will quickly wilt.

Holly: This most traditional holiday green comes in several forms, both green and variegated. Female plants display bright red berries. Make sure that holly does not freeze after cutting, or the leaves and berries may blacken.

Mountain Laurel: This is a traditional evergreen in the South for wreaths and garlands. As with other broad-leaved evergreens, however, laurel holds up best when used outdoors.

Boxwood: This small-leafed shrub is a longtime favorite for fine-textured wreaths and garland. It has an aroma that is either loved or hated. Be sure of your reaction before using it indoors.

Magnolia: The large leaves are a glossy, dark green that contrast well with the velvety, brown undersides. Magnolia leaves make stunning wreaths and bases for large decorations. The leaves hold up very well even without water.

     

 

For more info: Martha says
    http://www.marthastewart.com/274907/holiday-greenery-101/@center/1009039/christmas-trees-ornaments#221135

 

The Poinsettia

Selecting Your Poinsettia

The plant you choose should have dark green foliage. fallen yet low or damaged leaves indicate poor handling or fertilization, lack of water or a root disease problem. The colorful flower bracts (red, pink, white or bicolor pink and white) Should be in proportion to the plant and pot size. Little or no pollen should be showing oil the actual flowers (those red or green button-like parts in the center of the colorful bracts).

The length of time your poinsettia will give you pleasure in your home is dependent on (1) the maturity of the plant, (2) when you buy it, and (3) how you treat the plant. With care, poinsettias should retain their beauty for weeks and some varieties will stay attractive for months.

• After you have made your poinsettia selection, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can damage the bracts and leaves.
• Unwrap your poinsettia carefully and place in indirect light. Six hours of light daily is ideal. Keep the plant from touching cold windows.
• Keep poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows.
• Ideally poinsettias require daytime temperatures of 60 to 70°F and night time temperatures around 55°F. High temperatures will shorten the plant’s life. Move the plant to a cooler room at night, if possible.
• Check the soil daily. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer. Water when soil is dry. Allow water to drain into the saucer and discard excess water. Wilted plants will tend to drop bracts sooner.
• Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize when it is in bloom.

After Christmas Care

January - March: Keep watering the poinsettia whenever the surface is dry.

April: Starting April 1st, gradually decrease water, allowing them to get dry between watering’s. Be careful the stem does not begin to shrivel. This is a sign the plant is too stressed and is dying. In a week or two, when the plant has acclimated to this drying process, move it to a cool spot like the basement or a heated garage. You want to keep it at about 60 degrees F.

May: In mid-May, cut the stems back to about 4 inches and repot in a slightly larger container, with new potting soil. Water it well. Place the newly potted plant back into the brightest window you have and once again keep it at a temperature of 65 - 75 degrees F. Continue watering whenever the surface of the soil feels dry.

Watch for new growth. Once new growth appears, begin fertilizing every two weeks with a complete fertilizer. Follow fertilizer label recommendations.

June: More the poinsettia outside, pot and all. Keep it in a partially shaded location and maintain your watering and fertilizing schedule.

July: In early July, pinch back each stem by about one inch. This is to encourage a stout, well branched plant. If left unpinched, the poinsettia will grow tall and spindly.

August: By mid-August, the stems should have branched and leafed out. Once again, pinch or cut the new stems, leaving 3-4 leaves on each shoot. Bring the plant back indoors and back into your brightest window. Continue watering and fertilizing.

September: Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Make sure the temperature stays above 65 degrees F.

October Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning their bud set is affected by the length of daylight. To re-bloom, poinsettias need about 10 weeks with 12 hours or less of sunlight per day. You will have to artificially create these conditions and it's crucial that you be diligent.

Beginning October 1st, keep your plant in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am. Any exposure to light will delay blooming. Use an opaque box or material to block out light. Many people place their plants in a closest, but if light gets in through the cracks or if you open and use the closet, it will affect the bud set.

Move the plant back to the sunny window during the daytime and continue watering and fertilizing.

November: Around the last week of November, you can stop the darkness treatment and allow the plant to remain in the window. You should see flower buds at this point

December - Stop fertilizing about December 15th. Keep watering and treat your plant the way you did when you first brought it home in bloom. If all has gone well, it should be back in bloom and ready to begin the process all over again. What about poinsettias being poisonous?

 

Mother Nature introduces Fall

                                                     The Leaves Are Green

The leaves are green, the nuts are brown, They hang so high they won't come down. Leave them alone till frosty weather, Then they will all come down together.
Old Rhyme

Autumn Leaves

Down--down--down
Red   --yellow-brown
Autumn leaves tumble down,
Autumn leaves crumble down,
Autumn leaves bumble down,
Flaking and shaking, Tumbledown leaves.
Skittery--Flittery
Rustle by--Hustle by
Crackle and crunch
In a snappety bunch.
Run and catch
Run and catch
Butterfly leaves
Sailboat leaves
Windstorm leaves.
Can you catch them?
Swoop,
Scoop,
Pile them up
In a stompy pile and
           Jump
                   Jump
                                 JUMP!
                                        Eve Merriam

The Blood of heroes never dies as long as there are silver lining of hope.

The use of the poppy as a symbol on Veterans Day (Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth) is derived from its symbolism in the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilt in the war.

In the years following World War One, governments and society in general had not yet accepted responsibility for those maimed and bereaved as a result of the Great War. Massive unemployment in Britain made the problem much worse.

Earl Haig, the Commander in Chief of the British Army undertook the mighty task of organizing the British Legion as a means of helping with the problems of hundreds and thousands of men who had served under him. In 1921, a group of French widows visited him at the British Legion Headquarters. They had brought with them some poppies they had made, and suggested selling them as a means of raising money.

1921 - Britain and Australia start selling Poppies
1922 - First Poppy Day in New Zealand
1925 - First Poppy Day Canada

McCrae was a Canadian who enlisted to help the allies in the war. He was made Medical Officer upon landing in Europe. During a lull in the battle with the nub of a pencil he scratched on a page from his dispatch book. The poem found its way into the pages of Punch magazine. By 1918 the poem was well known throughout the allied world. Moina Michael, an American woman, wrote these lines in reply:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.


She then adopted the custom of wearing a red poppy in memory of the sacrifices of war and also as a symbol of keeping the faith.

A French woman, Madam Guerin, visiting the United States, learned of the custom and took it one step further. When she returned to France she decided to hand make the red poppies and sell them to raise money for the benefit of the orphaned and destitute women and children in war torn areas of France. This tradition spread to Canada, the United States and Australia and is still followed today.