Nature Lover's Almanac: Kinky Bugs, Stealthy Critters, Prosperous Plants & Celestial Wonders

by Diane Olson

Did you know that : We all have follicle mites living on our faces? In India, the humble pigeon is a symbol of lust? Jumping spiders sometimes watch TV with you? Healthy garden soil has the same characteristics as a good chocolate cake? The North Pole rarely points north? The caterpillar of the silver-spotted skipper blasts its frass (poop) five feet outside its nest? Fascinating but little-known facts of nature will connect you with the rhythms of the universe and enlighten you every day of the year. Also included are good tips for gardeners as well as a rundown of what constellations you can see in the night sky each month.



Diane Olson's "Urban Almanac" column, upon which this book is based, has been running in Salt Lake City's Catalyst magazine for sixteen years. She has also written for New York Spirit, Salt Lake Magazine, and Utah Homes and Gardens. She lives in Salt Lake City.

Genres: Nature, Science, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book chock-full of delicious trivia. (Did you know that the milky sap lettuce- and lettuce-related plants release when you cut their stems actually has opiate-like affects on humans? In other words, drink it and it will make you high.) I particularly recommend this for gardeners, since a lot of the trivia about about gardening, but I'm not a gardener and I got a real kick out of it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun, educational and at times, funny. Really enjoyed learning so much about the nature all around us, big and small.

[Christine]

A mix of gardening tips, fun nature facts, and more than I ever wanted to know about bugs.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of wondrous facts.

[Musings of the Moonchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://lisalunney.com/2018/11/19/book...

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great fun, with lots of factoids from the charming to the thoroughly gross, from the glories of astronomy to little-known facts about ticks. It was a good bedside book full of quick daily reads.