Looking Up

As a child I was very curious and probably got on everyone’s nerves, since when asking for explanations I was constantly told to

“go and look it up”!

Eyeshine (Wikimedia Commons)

~~~

We had several “reference books”, encyclopaedias and dictionaries, all of which were very heavy, kept in the tall bookcase in the crowded corner of our living room… I often did look things up, but then I often didn’t.

Now, thanks to Wikipedia and Google, I have no excuse, and I look things up All The Time!

Here’s a list (I love lists) of a few things I have looked up in the last 48 hours or so …

• Eyeshine (See photo above)
• Pectin content of various fruits
• Lactose content of types of cheese
• Anaphylactic Shock
• Reflex bleeding
• Albert Schweitzer
• Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel)
• Lyme disease
• Brownies (and Blondies)
• Bladdernut/Staphylea pinnata (Pimpernuss)

The last one was featured on Bavarian TV last night… I love the German name Pimpernuss – much prettier than Bladdernut!  It is a large shrub that bears pretty white flowers. The way they hang down from the branches is interesting…

(Photo: Wikipedia)

The seedhead is a capsule which contains nut-like seeds. These can be cracked open, and the kernel is then seasoned and roasted, and eaten as a snack.

(Photo: Wikipedia)

Or, in the Bavarian Forest, a liqueur is made with them. What a pity I don’t have one in my garden!

Have you ever heard of them? I hadn’t!

I’d love to hear what YOU have looked up recently!

😀