Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only?

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

From previous posting (Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update), then we may have a question that is whether suicide based on individual decision only?



Fig 01- Links of suicide (Source from slideshare)


The answer to this question could be found in the book written by McIntyre (2011. p.29-33: The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology 5th edition).


The author described about suicide from sociology perspective. Suicide is not only triggered by individual decision, but also by lack of social integration or social solidarity.



Fig 02- Elderberry tree


In case of married couple that increasing of divorce rate could increase social isolation or feel lonely, thus unmarried persons more likely to die due to suicide. 



Fig 03- Rainbow in the evening


Then, in case of teenage girl’s suicide, the cause could be many factors or very complex.



Fig 04- Summer is coming


As said by Cornwell (2017: Suicide rate in teen girls reaches 40-year high) that some reasons for girls to suicide are over access to social media and an ongoing lack of mental-health resources.


It is need for parents, educators, communities, and relevant policy makers to address the stigma of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.


Sadly, suicide is immediate or eventual death accomplished by the victims themselves.


The suicide is at alarming rate in the USA. People with social impaired is the most vulnerable to commit suicide.


# Previous postings:

- Are Olive Fruits Good for Heart? - Heart 10

- Black Market of a Fake Covid 19 Test Result – Virus 30

- Special Mailboxes of Letters to Santa in Neighborhood

- Is AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine Suitable for Poor Countries? - Virus 31

We Have Seen Jumping Worms in Louisiana – Critter 7

Monday, May 23, 2022

As you might read or watch or listen about “jumping worms” in many mainstream medias that this invasive worm has spread to 34 states or more in the USA.



Fig 01- Jumping worm in the garden.


You probably know, the scary things of the worms that they could:

- consume soil, then turn the soil into ground coffee like

- exhausting soil nutrients

- making soil can’t hold water


If there are plenty of jumping worms, can you imagine what happen to your farms or garden?



Fig 02- We could find the worms in this kind of place



Fig 03- The worm in our area


The worms are believed come from East Asia, probably Japan and Korea. Worms came to America around 1900’s.


Yes, we have found this worm in our state, Louisiana. Worms invade other states as well, they include:

- Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin.

- Missouri, Illinois, Kansas.

- Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa.

- Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Indiana.


Have you seen this worm in your state or country?


# Previous postings:

- Have You Heard about Second Infection of Corona Virus? - Virus 28

- Are Raw Peanuts Good for Health? - Food Variety 6

- When Will be the First Shot of Covid 19 Vaccine? - Virus 29

- Plants Bundle in the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 13

Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock

Friday, May 20, 2022

You may read the bird called Guianan cock of the Rock at previous post (Part 1):

- Strange Looking Bird Called Guianan Cock of the Rock – Part 1



Fig 01- Male of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to eBird)


Guinean birds have social rank, the higher rank males are favored by females for mating.


Quite unique that higher rank males have learners (apprentices) from lower rank and younger males.


This is a kind of process to get opportunity to find mates.


Females usually have two eggs for one breeding season. The eggs need around 28 days for incubation.



Fig 02- Female of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to Flickr)



Fig 03- Chinese tallow tree, illustration


What are source food of this bird? Some are:

- fruits include berries

- insects

- small reptiles.


Luckily, this bird is not considered as endangered species. It is mean that population is stable.


Hope, there is no illegal or legal huntings, hence the population in nature will consistent in the long term.


Have you seen this bird in nature or in the zoo at your places or countries?


# Previous postings:

- Chemothesis - What a Kind of Covid 19 symptom? - Virus 26

- Is Spanish Moss Coming from Spain? – Gardening and Hobby 11

- Vaccine Efficacy Rate Increases from 90% to 94.5% - Virus 27

- Bonsai Trees Show in the City Garden – Gardening and Hobby 12

High Occupancy Vehicle Parking Only - Sign 10

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

 At previous post, we talked about parking for Low Emission Vehicles:

- Special Parking for Low Emission Vehicles - Sign 3


Just couple days ago, I saw another interesting parking sign: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Parking Only.


What its mean?



Fig 01- Sign for special parking only.


It is a sign which is plotted for vehicles with more than one passenger such as: - big cars

- buses (transit buses)

- big vans.


Two type of HOV parking signs:

1) HOV 2+

- means for 1 driver, and at least one passenger.


2) HOV 3+

- means for 1 driver, and at least two passengers, usually more.



Fig 02- Sky in the city corner, just for illustration


In addition to parking signs, there are also High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in roads and Highways.



Fig 03- Empty parking lot


Not all states uses HOV lanes in the USA. There are 21 states using this kind of lanes. Here they are:

- 1) Arizona; 2) California; 3) Colorado

- 4) Connecticut; 5) Florida; 6) Georgia

- 7) Hawaii; 8) Kansas; 9) Maryland

- 10) Massachusetts; 11) Minnesota; 12) New Jersey

- 13) New York; 14) North Carolina; 15) Ohio; 16) Pennsylvania; 17) Tennesse

-18) Texas; 19) Utah; 20) Virginia; 21) Washington


How about with your places or states or your countries?


# Previous postings:

- Do You Like to Grill Fish? - Food Variety 4

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Green Lizard on the Window Screen – Critter 6

Saturday, May 14, 2022

During spring and summer, we always see the green lizards on the our window or door screens.


They seem catch insects fly nearby or crawling on the screens.



Fig 01- Green lizard shedding its skin


We didn’t know where the lizard come from. After observing quite a while, the lizards are living in our backyard.


Our state, Louisiana, has two species of green lizard, they are Green anole and Brown anole:

1) Green anole

- live in tree, able to climb trunks and branches

- we may found on the leaves of flowers.



Fig 02- Garden in the city



Fig 03- Little green lizard on a leaf of the plant


2) Brown anole

- live on the ground

- we never seen this species in our yard.


So far, we found Green anole only in our yards. The lizard also called as false chameleons due to their less able to camouflage.


The size is different between male and female of green lizard (Phil Purser, April 10, 2014: Green Anole Care Sheet):

- maximum size of male is 8 inches (20 cm)

- female could reach 5 inches (13 cm)


Have you seen green lizard in your garden?


# Previous postings:

- Harvest Fresh Chili from the Pot Routinely - Food Variety 3

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Free Meal Register for Students in Our City – Sign 9

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
We found a sign from an organization, or a company called as “Focus Foods” in side of our daily walking path. The sign is about:
- Register for Free Meals



Fig 01- A sign of Register for Free Meals.


After searching through internet that “Focus Foods” provide retail, catering and delivery services to:

- students (18 years old or younger)

- senior or elderly people.


In case of students, then, our city school system contracted “Focus Foods” to provide and deliver foods to eligible students to all schools under its administration in the city.



Fig 02- Cute dog on the street



Fig 03- Just for illustration



Fig 04- Some foods delivered by Focus Foods to students home


Free meals program to ensure all students get nutritious meals and quality snacks. The students include:

- elementary schools

- middle schools

- high schools


The students who choose to study online, “Focus Foods” will deliver frozen meals to students home. Weekly delivery include:

- seven breakfasts, lunches and dinners

- snacks, milk and juice


# Previous postings:

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Increasing of Suicide Rate in America

Sunday, May 8, 2022

It is surprisingly that suicide rate is increasing in recent years and a 30-year high in the USA.



Fig 01- Just for illustration (credit to Harvard Health)


In term of number, the suicide is 29,199 persons in 1999, and almost double (42,773 people) in 2014. Trending is continue until recently.


It is equal to 13 people in 100 thousand population. As reported by Tavernise (2016: U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High. The New York Times) that increasing of suicide rate occurs in almost:

- all age groups (25 to 64 years old)

- racial (ethnic group)

- and sexes (both male and female).



Fig 02- Blooming in the spring


Quite surprising that suicide rate among the teenage girls (10 to 14 years old) had been three time higher in 2014 than 1999.



Fig 03- Crowd people, illustration only


Other facts that marriage rate is declining, but divorce rate is increasing. Especially for lower education people. It is believed that divorce may lead to suicide.



Fig 04 – Hibiscus in blooming


Many factors that may cause suicide among others are:

- less education (lower than high school)

- less economic well-being

- hopelessness

- distress due to job lost and financial trouble


Health problems may lead to suicide as well. Several of these problems may include:

- drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning

- liver diseases

- or in-curable chronic diseases.


# Previous postings:

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