MUENCHHAUSEN, April 30, 2015

MUENCHHAUSEN

AN ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER ABOUT ENVIRONMENT,

RENEWABLE RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY,

AND RELATED TOPICS

By BOOTSTRAP PRESS, INC.

BETHESDA, MD

JJGREENBARON(at)VERIZON.NET

===========================================================
April 30, 2015

===========================================================

WELCOME!

The Green Baron (TGB) welcomes one and all who take the time to read Muenchhausen. He aims to “tell it like it is” as much as possible, and avoid advocacy and ideological positions. There are enough of those to go around in other publications.

The Green Baron also welcomes comments from anyone who may read Muenchhausen. Please send comments to the e-mail address above.

TAX SEASON
TGB apologizes for his long absence, and indeed, this issue of Muenchhausen will be short; it's here to give a sign of life. One reason for this delay is that TGB prepares his own income tax returns for the US and for the State of Maryland. Although his tax situation and preparation is straightforward, he still bears in mind that the tax code--especially the federal one--comprises thousands--nay, myriads of pages. Fortunately, TGB has no need to look into anywhere near even a small fraction of the instructions. He gives thanks that this travail is now behind him for the year; and given his age, who knows whether he will be doing federal and state returns next year!

In addition, TGB and his wife have been unwell during recent weeks.

WALPURGIS NIGHT
April 30 is celebrated in certain countries of the world as Walpurgis Night or May Eve. Reputedly, it is a more significant Wiccan Sabbat than is the much-vaunted Hallowmass or Hallowe'en. Presumably, it is a rite of Spring.


Walpurgis Night in Bavaria

MAPLE MEDICINE?
Frequently, TGB has pursued the topic of microbial resistance or "R" to antibiotics. Such microbes often show signs of becoming resistant to several antibiotics or even whole classes, thus becoming "Superbugs".

Now, hard as it may be to believe, researchers at McGill University (Montreal, QC, Canada) may have come across components of maple syrup--yes, what you pour onto pancakes or French toast--that may attack the microbial principles that confer "R" on some microbes. However, the maple syrup you get at the store or at farmers' markets does not have this quality. The syrup has to be reduced in volume through evaporation so that the "R"-combating biochemicals are concentrated enough to do their intended work.

TGB will elaborate on this and other topics as time elapses and his health (hopefully) improves.