June 14, 2024

Overview for this week.

1. One of my favorite flowers of the mountain woods is the Lily of the Valley with its delicate little bell flowers and pleasant aroma. As you'll see below, I'm in good company.

2. This week I'm featuring an extraordinary superhero star of drumming from Queens in The Next Gen.

3. In the Book Corner, I have some titles that go beyond D-Day and reveal more of the story behind the fathers and grandfathers who won the Second World War.

4. Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 16. I have a run-down of how it's celebrated on different days and in different ways across the globe. Happy Father's Day to all Flock Fathers!

5. We have a Flock Little Genius Award winner and Lego expert, Carter in this week's Kid's Corner.

6. Our Flock Adventurers Jim and Angela Gannon are back with more travel photos. This time from Barcelona, Spain.

7. I’m giving a shout out to our favorite burger joint, Fatbelly Burgers, in Carbondale, Co. in a special Colorado Around Town.

8. I have a Wellness entry for all of you meat eaters this week about the health benefits of adding lamb to your diet.

9. In the Pet's Corner, I'm checking in with the Mikstas and Little Rosie, as well as a shot of Fern out on the hunt for mice in Aspen.

Now, to this week's Flock.

Tap to view past issues.

The Lily of the Valley is a beautiful flower, and its extract is used as a supplement in some countries, but extreme caution should be used before using it as it can cause an irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, and fainting. It should never be used without the supervision of a doctor.

From: HouseBeautiful, May 3, 2023

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is well known for its delicate bells and beautiful sweet scent, and it was also the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite flower.

This fast-growing perennial provides excellent ground cover in gardens and quickly spreads to form a fragrant carpet of white or pink-nodding bell-shaped flowers in spring. Set against lush green leaves, lily of the valley also makes a wonderful cut flower for scented, springtime posies, and the plant traditionally features in spring wedding bouquets.

The delicate, lightly arched stems can bear up to 12 bell-shaped flowers – each bell comprises six petals. It can grow up to 20cm in height, and has previously gained the Royal Horticultural Society's award of Garden Merit, which commends the best plants for home gardeners.

Lily of the valley is also a very popular scent in perfumes, often found as a base note in floral fragrances, such as Dior Diorissimo, Yardley London's Lily of the Valley, Chloé Eau de Parfum and Penhaligon's Lily of the Valley, to name a few. It's also a popular scent for spring candles, from brands including Jo Malone London, Diptyque, and Bamford.

Is lily of the valley poisonous?

Surprisingly, all parts of this innocent-looking flower are poisonous – the flowers and red berries are toxic if eaten. Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides which are gastrointestinal irritants, which could prove harmful or fatal if ingested, so keep away from children and pets. If ingested, the plant can cause abdominal pain, blurred vision, reduced heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes. The plant is safe to handle but it's recommended that you wash hands throughly after touching them.

From: andresvalbuenamusic.com

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Andres Valbuena is one of the most sought after drummers in NYC having played with notable bands and artists including Tim Heidecker, The Lemon Twigs, Melt, Stephen Trask, John Cameron Mitchell, Linda Diaz, and more. 

Andres started playing drums at the age of 10 and further developed his talent by attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for drums. He then went on to receive a Bachelors of Music from the esteemed Manhattan School of Music. Since then, performance highlights have included performing sold out shows with Melt at The Troubadour and Webster Hall, touring with broadway legends Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell, performing with Tim Heidecker in his Two Tims Tour, winning the 2020 NPR Tiny Desk with Linda Diaz, and opening for the Arctic Monkeys in their Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino tour in 2018 with the Lemon Twigs all throughout The United Kingdom. With the Lemon Twigs, Andres also played international tours in Europe, Japan, and the USA at venues including the Hollywood Bowl, Jimmy Kimmel Live, 02 Arena London, and Later with Jools Holland. 

National Geographic has some titles that go beyond D-Day and the other the great battles of World War II and highlight the risks and sacrifices behind the scenes in the Allied effort to win World War II. The sacrifices and effort of this generation of fathers and grandfathers, who won the Second World War, makes Father's Day all that much more precious. Fathers and mothers were lost, never to know their children to come. They will never be forgotten.

National Geographic Special - September 1, 2017

The story of World War II is brought to life as never before by taking you deep inside the secret lives of spies and spy masters; secret agents and secret armies; enigma machines and code breakers; psychological warfare and black propaganda; secret weapons and secret battle strategies.

The great battles of World War II are well known but there was a secret war fought below the surface. Military operations shrouded in secrecy altered the conflict time and again, despite efforts by intelligence officials on all sides to discover what the enemy was up to. 

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 16. The holiday is celebrated on different days and in different ways across the globe with some common themes. These include family time, Dad's favorite foods, and gifts made for dad by the kids.

From: Phoenix Flower Shops

Father's Day

The ancient origins of Father’s Day began in Babylonian when a youth named Elmesu carved the first known Father's Day card in clay nearly 4,000 years ago. His special message wished his father good health and a long life.

The origins of Father’s Day as we celebrate it in the United States are the work of Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. In 1909, she first proposed the idea of a "father's day" when she wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart.

Mr. Smart was a Civil War veteran, who was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Despite obvious hardships, he proceeded to raise all his children alone on a rural farm in eastern Washington. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man.

Brazil

Locally known as: Dia dos Pais

Celebrated on: second Sunday in August

The day is marked by family gatherings and special meals, often featuring traditional Brazilian dishes. Children give their fathers gifts, and many families attend church services to honor and pray for their fathers. It’s a day filled with warmth and gratitude, highlighting the strong familial bonds in Brazilian culture.

Source: Pinot's Palette

Costa Rica

Locally known as: Dia del Padre

Celebrated on: third sunday in June

Costa Ricans celebrate the fathers who are both living and have passed on, as well as the single mothers who fill both roles.

Source: Remitly

Germany

Locally known as: Vatertag or Männertag

Celebrated on: Ascension Day

Young and old men may go for a hike before dragging a wagon full of beer through the town for an afternoon of drinking together. This tradition harks back to the Middle Ages when men were pulled in carts to the center of the village and celebrated. The man with the most children would receive a prize–usually a ham.

Source: Rosetta Stone

India

Celebrated on: third Sunday in June

Indian fathers usually receive gifts such as books, shirts, flowers, or cards. Many urban families in India spend the day with Dad by baking him a cake or preparing a meal. Younger children might make homemade gifts.

Source: Deseret News

Japan

Locally known as: Chichi no hi

Celebrated on: third Sunday in June

Children often give their fathers handmade gifts, such as crafts or drawings, along with store-bought items like ties, sake, or sweets. It’s a day for family bonding, with special meals prepared at home to honor fathers.

Source: Pinot's Palette

Mexico

Locally known as: Día del Padre

Celebrated on: third Sunday in June

The day is marked by festive family gatherings, special meals, and giving gifts. One unique tradition is the Carrera del Día del Padre 21K Bosque de Tlalpan, a half-marathon race in Mexico City where families can run together to celebrate the occasion.

Source: Pinot's Palette

Sweden & Norway

Locally Known as: Fars Dag

Celebrated on: second Sunday in November

Fathers often receive cakes and presents, such as books or ties on this day, and the joke goes that older dads tend to have a lot of ties. Families often go out to dinner or make their father a special meal of Baltic herring filets paired with a treat like apple pie or strawberries. Later, they take him to his favorite activity such as seeing a performance or going fishing.

Source: Rosetta Stone

United Kingdom

Celebrated on: third Sunday in June

British children typically give their fathers greeting cards, gifts, and sometimes breakfast in bed. Many families spend the day together, engaging in activities that dad enjoys, whether it’s a trip to the park, a family hike, or watching a sports event.

Source: Pinot's Palette

I've been passing out mini-Lego kits that are actually quite difficult to put together. Out of the twenty or so that I've handed out, ten-year-old Carter is the first to have the patience to complete a project. This has earned young Carter the title of our June genius of the month. Carter is headed into the 5th grade at Wilson K-8. His favorite subject is science, and he wants to work for NASA when he grows up. Also, his favorite ice cream is nachos & bacon. Great job Carter!

From: The Flock's mini-Lego panel of judges

Carter getting started on his mini-Lego project.

Working away.

Pretty soon and the family is joining in.

Carter challenged grandpa Ron.

Grandpa we honor, he’s still working. 

Carter with the results of his diligent effort. Great snake!

Flock Adventurers and good personal friends, Jim and Angela Gannon are on the move and sharing pictures from their travels in Spain with us. Last summer we followed the Gannons from the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood and the Company Gardens of Cape Town, South Africa. Following that, we traveled on with them touring the landmark sites of Istanbul Turkey. Angela is a yoga master and long-time longtime Kailua Kona friend. Jim is a Vietnam veteran, father of 4, and grandfather of 10 and counting. Happy Father's Day Jim. Thanks for serving our country!

Basílica de la Sagrada Família

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world

Arc de Triomf

Built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The Arc de Triomf crosses over the wide central promenade of the Passeig de Lluís Companys, leading to the Ciutadella Park that now occupies the site of the world fair.

Columbus Monument 

The 197 ft tall monument to Christopher Columbus was also constructed for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair.

Fatbelly Burgers, just outside of Aspen in Carbondale, Co, is owned and operated by one of the Flock family's favorite cowboys. The lambs and beef cattle they they use are hand-raised and graze in the beautiful mountain pastures of the Rocky Mountains. When we had some acreage in nearby Glenwood Springs, we didn't raise cattle, but had a few to keep the grass down.

From: Carbondale.com

Fatbelly Burgers is a grab-n-go burger joint located in downtown Carbondale. Locally owned & operated, always using locally raised beef & locally grown produce when possible.

Lamb meat is a common ingredient in the Mediterranean diet and a protein and iron powerhouse. The soft red meat of lamb has a rich nutritional profile that accounts for its varied health benefits. The NIH's National library of medicine has this to say about including red meat in a healthy diet: 

Red meat is a nutrient dense food providing important amounts of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are the most common nutrient shortages in the world, including vitamin A, iron, and zinc.

From: Facty Health, By: Susie, September 11, 2020

Lamb, a staple in many Mediterranean diets, offers a myriad of health benefits. This red meat, which comes from sheep less than a year old, is considered by many to be the most nutritious type of meat readily available in worldwide markets. Lamb helps increase your vitamin, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium intake. Lamb isn't nearly as popular in the United States as it is in other countries. On average, an American eats less than one pound of lamb annually.

• Lamb is an excellent source of iron.
• Lamb boosts your immune system.
• Lamb promotes good heart health.
• Lamb may fight certain types of cancer.
• Lamb promotes good skin.
• Lamb aids in weight loss.
• Lamb helps build muscle mass.
• Lamb helps improve physical performance.
• Lamb helps preserve bone density.
• Lamb helps prevent some birth defects.

From: Women's Health, By: Colleen Bellefonds, April 24, 2018

What is red meat?

This might seem like a no-brainer, but: Per the World Health Organization (WHO), red meat is muscle meat that comes from mammals. This includes:

Beef | Bison | Pork | Veal | Lamb | Goat | Mutton | Venison

Is red meat bad for you?

Admittedly, there are several downsides to eating red meat. “Excess red meat intake has been linked to health issues such as heart disease, elevated cholesterol, digestive issues, and increased cancer risk, especially for colorectal cancers,” says nutritionist Jessica Cording, R.D. And all of these issues have been backed up by years of research.

Is there anything healthy about red meat?

To be fair, red meat isn't ALL bad. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA’s) nutrient database, one three-ounce serving of lean flank steak with the fat trimmed has:

• 165 calories
• 7 grams fat (3 grams saturated)
• 24 grams muscle-building protein
• Nearly 40 percent of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamins B6 and B3, to help support the nervous and immune systems
• 10 percent of your daily iron needs to support red blood cell production and metabolism

Meat and cancer risk

Improving your health and reducing your risk

From: Cancer Council

Cancer Council recommends:

consuming a maximum of 455g per week of lean, cooked red meat

avoiding processed meats such as frankfurts, salami, bacon and ham, which are high in fat and salt

limiting consumption of burnt or charred meat

choosing lean cuts of meat and poultry and eating more fish and plenty of plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals

What is red meat and processed meat?

There are two different types of meats associated with cancer risk – processed meats and red meat. These are two different ways of classifying meat and meat products, and the evidence and recommendations for each differs.

Red meat

When referring to red meat and cancer risk, we are referring to beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, venison and goat. It does not include white meat such as fresh chicken, turkey or fish.

Processed meat

Processed meat refers to meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation. This includes hot dogs, ham, jerky and corned beef, as well as canned meat and meat-based preparations and sauces. Processed meat differs from unprocessed red meat, in that it may be cured with the addition of preservatives (salt, nitrite or smoke) and/or other additives (phosphate, glutamate or ascorbic acid).

In Australia, fresh sausages are separate to processed meat as our food regulations control nitrate levels and fat content in sausages (ANZ Food Code Standards). Although fresh sausages in Australia do not have nitrites added, care should be taken when cooking as burning or charring sausages might also increases the risk of cancer. This means that this average lifetime risk goes up to 9.3% for consuming 50g of processed meat daily.

Little Rosie Miksta, Amie, Jeff and Ayla, enjoying some nature time outside.

Happy Father's Day Jeff! 

Fern out mousing in Aspen

"THE MOMENTS 

OF HAPPINESS WE 

ENJOY TAKE US BY

SURPRISE. IT IS NOT

THAT WE SEIZE

THEM, BUT THAT

THEY SEIZE US."



— Ashley Montagu

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

• Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph. D. and The Institute of Personal and Transpersonal Knowledge

• Kimberly Gomer of Body Beautiful Miami, our body shaper and fee-based nutritionist. (609) 509-4969

• Kyria Sabin of Body Works Fletcher Pilates, she's the best. (520) 323-7070

• Where in the World is Zoe Zoe is back in Colorado helping launch the 2024 early childhood, junior high, high school, and adult tennis programs with sister and mother Petra.

• Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair Arizona - Sign the petition here!

• The Fabric Jeanie! Tap to learn more. (520) 245-0589



• Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

• Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help up in understanding, testing knowledge, and how it is being applied

In coming weeks: we'll be sharing more investigative articles from our roving reporter William George, original writing from Flock favorite Dino DeConcini, and an update on the Marolt brothers' coming expedition to Argentina.

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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