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March 20th, 2010:

I'm Just Mad About Saffron Crocus – Flatbush, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

© Frank H. Jump

Saffron (pronounced /ˈsæfrən/) is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the Iridaceae. A C. sativus flower bears three stigmas, each the distal end of a carpel. Together with their styles—stalks connecting stigmas to their host plant—stigmas are dried and used in cooking as a seasoning and colouring agent. Saffron, long the world’s most expensive spice by weight, is native to Southwest Asia. – Wikipedia

Gay Dutch soldiers responsible for Srebrenica massacre says US general

© Frank H. Jump

The Dutch government condemned the comments by Gen. John Sheehan, a former Nato commander and senior marine officer, as outrageous. Gen. Sheehan made the remarks at a Senate hearing where he argued against plans by President Barack Obama to end a ban on allowing gays to serve openly in the US military. – Telegraph UK

Crocuses Herald the Arrival of Spring! – Flatbush, Brooklyn

© Frank H. Jump

Far from being an arbitrary indicator of the changing seasons, March 20 (March 21 in some years) is significant for astronomical reasons. On March 20, 2010, at precisely 1:32 P.M. EDT (March 20, 17:32 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. This moment is known as the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the moment of the autumnal equinox. – Infoplease dot com – Rite of Spring