Pods

Purple three-awn. Tree of heaven. Alamo vine. Narrowleaf cattail. These exotic and fanciful names conjure up visions of lush foliage, colorful grasses, and dense plant life. They are, in fact, names of native and naturalized Texas plants—grasses, pods, vines, and weeds. Lovely and all-too-often overlooked in nature, they become ornamental delights when used imaginatively and decoratively. Grasses, Pods, Vines, Weeds introduces 44 of Texas' most common and important naturals. Quentin Steitz shows how to recognize them and discover their aesthetic wealth. By taking the reader through all of the steps involved in utilizing naturals—from harvest to design—her book becomes an important tool for floral and landscape designers, decorators, horticulturalists, home gardeners, botanists: all those people who enjoy hands-on experience with Texas' vast array of native and naturalized plants. The book presents clear and concise descriptions of many Texas naturals, accompanied by approximately 150 full-color photographs showing each in one or more stages of growth and also in a design. The reader can see the plant as it looks not only in the wild but also in an arrangement. The author offers techniques on how the species can be prepared for display, discussing drying and arranging. And a chapter on cultivation and conservation suggests to outdoor enthusiasts species they can grow for decorative natural materials as well as conserve and appreciate in the wild. Grasses, Pods, Vines,Weeds is enhanced by flora selected, collected, prepared, and dried by the author. These hand-culled materials have been used in designs contributed by some nineteen notable floral designers as well as the author. The text and designs combine to reveal the fresh, creative applications of Texas' decorative naturals and to increase our pleasure in the wonders of natural Texas.

Krista, is a young girl who has happily lived in a commune situation with her family all her young life. She is studying at the local Unitech college where she meets Ben and they become involved. Then something happens which changes her whole life. The entire community, inclusive of her family, disappears and she has no clue how this has happened or why. There is a company named Podtech who produce low cost dome pods for people on a budget. With huge financial backing they have moved forward at a fast pace and are introducing robotics so that they can proceed at an even faster rate..Two of their staff Beth and George have become friends at work and are able to discuss work matters and also work executives. She is the Public Relations Manager for Podtech and the suspicions stem from her work practices and arrogant manner. Things come to a head when Krista is arrested and Ben who works as a journalist at the local paper decides to investigate Podtech by examining their dome pods up close. He is determined to find Krista's family and other homeless people even it it means diving underwater. Without help Krista could never find out what has happened to her family.

The world has been mystified by 27 UFO's that had landed here on earth 25 years ago. Until a scientist named Albert Elskavore finally discovered a way of opening one of these space-craft's, and is to find out that it was the government's agenda all along. That is, In order to destroy the world. Since of course a population of infected aliens with the zombie virus, contracted to every living thing on this planet. Not only was he unaware that he was going to unleash this horrid virus, but he was also unaware of the dark hidden secrets that held him captive. That he once thought was a prominent family of his own in Area 51.

Even in the ocean, the members of dolphin and whale pods function together as an organized group. Readers will learn how they hunt, travel, and communicate with each other, even over large distances. Easy-to-follow text is accompanied by beautiful underwater photography.

Explains the social status and behavior of dolphins and why they are so intriguing to scientists.