The tulips opened up yesterday. They are very late this year. But why fret about them blooming so late? I could have worse problems.

I ordered some Bielefelder chicks which arrived here on Wednesday, April 12. What a relief. They only took 2 days to arrive. They hatched on the 10th, went out the door in Iowa that afternoon, got to St. Paul, MN, that night, were in Kent, WA, on the 11th at night, and were at the Bow Post Office on the 12th. When baby chicks arrive in two days they are in great health. If it takes 3 days, some are weak, and some may be dead. if it takes 4 days, very few survive. So, yeah, I could have worse problems.

I think if you would have told settlers crossing the Rockies in covered wagons that some day in the future, chicks born in Iowa will be in rural Washington State in two days, they would have had you committed for being insane.

This year, I tried a heat plate instead of a heat lamp. The thing in the back with the yellow legs is the heat plate. The underside of it is around 102ºF (39ºC), plenty warm for the chicks to huddle underneath when they get cold. It’s much better than the heat lamps I used before which bathe the chicks in light 24 hours a day.

With a heat plate, they get to sleep in the dark. It’s much more like sleeping underneath a mother.

I prefer to have a hen raise the chicks, but I wanted some more Bielefelder chickens, and when I ordered these chicks last fall, April 10th was the first delivery. Without any broody hens, I have to raise these myself. I could have worse problems than not having a broody hen when I need one.

The first of the dandelions bloomed last week. So did the Japanese pear.

Is a lazy dog a big problem? She’s not really lazy, just tired after hunting much of the night. I never considered dogs to be nocturnal beasts, but our two dogs love to go our hunting at 2 in the morning for an hour or two. Sometimes they are out hunting all night long. I could have bigger problems, though any raccoon, possum, or other night hunter who ventures too close when our two dogs are out at night wishes they had gone another way.

But I do have this problem. A chick which likes to peck the other chicks too much. She is OK with them late in the evening, through the night, and through the early morning. But once it gets too light, she likes to peck them too aggressively. I’ll spare you the details of where she likes to peck them.

So she likes to hang out with me. She hates being left alone. So I have a box next to me and take her out from time to time. Or I have to hang an arm in the box to keep her company.

Quite a problem, don’t you think? I’m hoping that once the chicks feather out, she’ll lose her motivation to peck. Whatever happens, she will be the most tame chicken I’ve ever had.

An afternoon of sunshine brought out the magic of spring today. Days of rain and mist evaporated and brilliant light poured down from the sky. Skunk cabbage were in full bloom along the way to pick up coffee beans in Alger.

And on the drive into town to get feed, fresh snow blanketed the tops of the foot hills. The green pastures seem a bit sad without flocks of swans. But they are far north now. They will soon be laying eggs and incubating them. While we get on planting our gardens and watching new shoots spring out of the warming earth.

The flowering cherry tree is in full bloom now. On a sunny afternoon like today, they are spectacular. Their soft, baby power fragrance, brings pure joy.

More spring unfolds out of the soil. When rhubarb leaves sprout, you can see the intricate way they are tightly folded inside their buds. So what keeps these folds from sticking together? And how many folds are there?

The lovage is up too. You can’t watch spring unfold without getting curious.

The warning was about licorice root, the ingredient that gives the tea its sweetness. I enjoyed the taste so much that I bought a pound of licorice root. And I sometimes add it to other teas. But I can tell from subtle changes in my body that licorice root is something I can only seep sparingly. Which lead me to this long conversation with ChatGTP this morning:

Me: What are the dangers of drinking tea made from licorice root?

ChatGPT: Drinking tea made from licorice root can have several potential dangers or side effects, especially when consumed in large quantities or over an extended period. While licorice root has been used in traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent for centuries, it is important to be aware of its potential risks. Some of the main dangers associated with licorice root tea consumption include:

1. Hypertension: Licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which can cause an increase in blood pressure in some individuals. This can lead to hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
2. Electrolyte imbalance: The glycyrrhizin in licorice root can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, leading to an electrolyte imbalance. This can result in symptoms such as muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, and in severe cases, paralysis.
3. Drug interactions: Licorice root can interact with certain medications, such as diuretics, blood pressure medications, and blood thinners, potentially causing dangerous side effects or reducing the effectiveness of the medication.
4. Pregnancy risks: Consuming large amounts of licorice root during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and other adverse effects on the developing fetus.
5. Adrenal insufficiency: Chronic consumption of licorice root can lead to suppression of the adrenal glands, causing a reduction in the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate the body’s response to stress.
6. Hormonal imbalances: Licorice root can have estrogen-like effects, which may cause hormonal imbalances and lead to menstrual irregularities, reduced fertility, and other issues in susceptible individuals.

To minimize these risks, it’s essential to consume licorice root tea in moderation and consult with a healthcare professional before adding it to your diet, particularly if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications.

Ask a question and you end up with more questions popping up in your brain, don’t you?

Me: Why would a plant like licorice produce glycyrrhizin? What does glycyrrhizin do for the plant?

ChatGPT: Plants produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites, which are organic compounds that are not directly involved in the growth, development, or reproduction of the plant. These secondary metabolites often play important roles in plant defense against herbivores, pathogens, and environmental stressors. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin found in licorice root, is one such secondary metabolite.

While the specific function of glycyrrhizin in the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is not fully understood, it is believed to serve several possible roles:

1. Defense against herbivores: The bitter taste of glycyrrhizin may deter herbivores from consuming the plant, protecting it from being eaten. Additionally, the compound can cause digestive irritation in some animals, further discouraging consumption.
2. Antimicrobial activity: Glycyrrhizin has been found to possess antimicrobial properties, which may help the plant defend against pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
3. Defense against environmental stress: Glycyrrhizin has also been shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help the plant cope with environmental stressors, such as oxidative damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, drought, or extreme temperatures.
4. Allelopathic effects: Some secondary metabolites, including saponins like glycyrrhizin, can have allelopathic effects on other plants, inhibiting their growth and potentially reducing competition for resources like nutrients, water, and sunlight.

Overall, the production of glycyrrhizin is likely an evolutionary adaptation that provides the licorice plant with a competitive advantage in its natural environment.

Me: What are saponins?

ChatGPT: Saponins are a diverse group of naturally occurring plant compounds characterized by their distinctive molecular structure, which includes a water-soluble sugar portion (glycone) and a fat-soluble non-sugar portion (aglycone). The term “saponin” is derived from the Latin word “sapo,” meaning soap, as many saponins can form a soapy froth when mixed with water due to their amphiphilic nature (having both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties).

Saponins are found in various plant species, including legumes, yucca, quinoa, and licorice. They serve several important functions in plants, such as:

• Defense against herbivores: The bitter taste of saponins can deter herbivores from consuming the plant. Additionally, saponins can interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the digestive systems of animals, causing digestive distress and further discouraging herbivory.
• Antimicrobial activity: Saponins can have antimicrobial properties, protecting plants against pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Protection against environmental stressors: Saponins can exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping plants cope with various environmental stressors such as UV radiation, drought, or extreme temperatures.
• Allelopathic effects: Saponins can have allelopathic effects on neighboring plants, inhibiting their growth and reducing competition for resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight.

In addition to their roles in plants, saponins have been studied for their potential health benefits and applications in human nutrition and medicine. Some saponins have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties, while others have been investigated for their potential anticancer, antiviral, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, it is important to note that not all saponins are beneficial, and some can be toxic or have undesirable side effects, depending on the specific compound and its concentration.

Me: How are plants able to produce saponins. For humans to make saponins they need a laboratory with all kinds of equipment.

What followed were many more answers and many more questions about biosynthetic pathways, enzyme production in plants, signals plants create to start gene transcription, transcription factors, and how RNA polymerase move and what happens when they collide. There is no end to knowing.

You look at something as lovely as cherry blossoms, and they look so simple, yet they are a result of a mind blowing complex process of gene transcription and chemical pathways producing substances to create their delicate petals and stamen and pistils. And how do they count to five? Why don’t you see four petal and six petal cherry blossoms? Nature is incredibly complex and wondrous. Just being alive to enjoy it is enough.