Flea Market Fodder

New Brunswick: Canada's Picture Province - Part II

Celebrating 101 posts with a tribute to a more optimistic time in my home province's history. They actually use the word 'progressive' in the province's description.

Part II

Another original.

One of my originals.

Riviera Restaurant, Reversing Falls Souvenir Placemat - 1960

This 35-page booklet provides instructions on converting your basement into a fallout shelter, including a large fold-out page of wall plans, as well as all necessary provisions and procedures for life inside the shelter. Issued by the government, with a forward by prime minister John G. Diefenbaker.

Part I

Chalybion californicum, also known as the blue mud dauber. They are widespread throughout the United States and southern Canada. Like other mud dauber wasp species, the blue mud dauber lives in nests made of mud. Unlike other mud daubers, the blue mud dauber does not build a nest; instead, it moves into the abandoned nests of other species. Also like other mud dauber species, the blue mud dauber primarily preys upon spiders. However, unlike the other species who prey upon small, less intimidating spiders, the blue mud dauber prefers to prey upon black widows. Thankfully we don't have black widows in atlantic Canada, so these guys are forced to prey upon other spider species when in these parts. If you see the blue mud dauber buzzing around your window, please don't squash it. They are non-aggressive and rarely sting humans, plus they eat spiders!

Classics Illustrated no. 47: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - 1965

Mothproofed wool has been treated with an insecticide. The chemical is introduced to the dye bath during the dyeing process and adheres to the wool fibres just as dye does. The insecticide kills or deters moth larvae upon its consumption, limiting damage to the garment. The insecticide is only mildly toxic to mammals, and not harmful to humans so long as it is not ingested. This blanket of death keeps me warm every night.

A college project of mine from back in '08 when I was studying silversmithing.

Because the Ichneumon wasp targets a specific species for oviposition, and ultimately destroys its target, these wasps have been used as a means of natural pest control.

Creativity With Gourds - 1971