Unique Serving Platter

Many stories of hope come from the horror of war. The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 ushered in a new age of nuclear weapons. The bomb had a devastating effect on the citizens of the Japanese city. A Peace Memorial Park was made to honor the dead and to offer a space to pray for peace. Many of the victims were children, as a direct result of the blast or from illnesses caused by radiation poisoning. The Park contains a Children’s Peace Memorial in memory of them. One child has been an inspiration to the world and has been adopted as a symbol for the peace movement. Her name was Sadako Sasaki and she is famous for the Sadako Paper Cranes.

Sadako was just two years old when the bomb fell and she died from leukemia when she was twelve years old. She was familiar with the symbolism of longevity and happiness of origami cranes and she proceeded to fold them whilst she was in hospital, hoping to reach the target of 1,000. Her hope was that she could overcome her illness and save humanity from further war. She folded hundreds of them, but couldn’t reach the target. Today, there are always millions of Sadako Paper Cranes placed around the Park Memorial.

In 1958, Sadako was honored when a statue of her holding a golden crane was erected on top of the Children’s Peace Memorial. The Memorial receives thousands of visitors every year and everyone is profoundly moved by the story of the Sadako Paper Cranes. There is also a statue in dedication to Sadako and other child victims of war in the Seattle Peace Park.

Thanks to Sadako, an old Japanese legend has spread throughout the world and the Sadako Paper Cranes have become a tangible tribute to war’s innocent victims. An Eternal Flame burns at the cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Park. The flame will be extinguished when the final atomic weapon on earth has been destroyed. The Sadako Paper Cranes are a very simple idea, a universal way of focusing people’s attention on an event. Sadako’s dream of bringing peace to the world has not yet been realized, but she did achieve a means of bringing people together with one goal in mind. For some Japanese people, the cranes have become just as significant as cherry blossom, the annual event that represents new life and hope into the hearts of the Japanese, young and old.

My grandmother always had a large collection of African violets. As a child, I saw these cheerful plants nestling on windowsills and dressers, on lace doilies, always in small groups. Grandma also had a large backyard garden, including her prized rose garden. During the winter months, when the weather was gray and gloomy, those little African violets were still going strong, pampered inside the house. Grandma had flowers year around!

I often wondered why these cute little plants were favored at so many of my relatives’ homes. Now I know. African violets are almost indestructible, given proper care. If you think you don’t have a green thumb, give them a try! Yes, you can have living houseplants!

There are thousands of varieties, sporting many different flower shapes and colors, including multi-colored selections. There are also tiny miniature African Violets. They are among the easiest house plants to grow. Just a few simple rules keeps them hale and hearty for years! Let’s look at the five points of African violet care.

1.This one’s easy. African Violets thrive in about the same temperature range as people. They enjoy daytime warmth, up to about 85º, but like cooler nights, only to about 65°.

2.African violets like good plentiful light, but not direct sunlight. North and east-facing windowsills provide enough light without danger of scorched leaves. In southern facing rooms, they’ll do well placed on a corner table away from the window. When you choose a location, monitor the plants for a while. With inadequate light, leaves darken in color and become thinner. With too much light, leaves yellow or become pale. In either case, poor flowering results.

3. African violets do not like to be drowned! Over watering ultimately rots their roots. Water only when the top soil is dry to the touch. If watering from the top, use a small watering can with a thin spout and avoid wetting leaves. Better yet, water from below. Fill your saucer with tepid water.

4. You must fertilize regularly. There are commercially available fertilizers especially formulated for African violets. You can also use a 20-20-20 mix at half strength. Mix your fertilizer the day before watering. This method allows chlorine to evaporate, which is harmful to your plants and reach room temperature by the time you water.

5.Potting mediums are important. With their dislike of wet feet, African violets need excellent drainage. You can use premixed potting soils developed just for African violets, which is probably the easiest solution, considering the small amount of soil required for each plant. When choosing a pot, a good rule of thumb is smaller is better! Measure across the plant and divide by three for the proper size pot. African violets bloom more profusely when confined.

If you follow these five rules of African violet care, I guarantee you’ll have a blooming indoor garden. Your most difficult decision is which variety to buy. African violets can be addictive!