Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Googling Potato Beetles


Our local pub is bedecked in flags for the Six Nations rugby championships, which begin on Feb. 5. The games bring together the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Wales and France, with Wales the defending champions.

Aren't you impressed that I know all this?

Well, in reality I walked past the pub and wondered, "Why are there six flags hanging in the windows?" The Internet did the rest.

I know we say this all the time, but how did we ever survive without Google? I remember being perplexed by the most minor, insignificant things. Here's another example. I've told you I was a stamp collector as a child. Well, I have this stamp in my collection:

It's not quite a postage stamp, because it has no nationality or denomination. It's obviously some kind of campaign stamp for stopping these bugs, "kartoffelkäfer." But what on earth is a "kartoffelkäfer"?

I remember taking this stamp to my high school German teacher and asking her, and even she didn't know -- though we both assumed it was some kind of pest.
 
Well, last night, out of the blue (because for some reason this popped into my head), I Googled "kartoffelkäfer," and it turns out it's the Colorado potato beetle. Apparently this insect was the focus of a series of eradication efforts in Europe after being accidentally introduced there from North America in the late 1800s. During World War II, Germany waged a propaganda campaign accusing the Americans of deliberately dropping the beetles on their crops, and apparently these allegations persisted during the Cold War among the nations of Eastern Europe. So this German stamp was issued to raise awareness, kind of like an Easter Seal. (There's an alternate design, used on posters, showing the insects' carapaces decorated in red, white and blue stars and stripes!)

A 45-year-old mystery, at least in my mind -- solved at last! Thank you, Google.

I know you're all wondering how Dave is doing. He's still not feeling great and in fact he's asleep as I write this. We don't have any answers yet from his PCR but we're hoping results come through today.

Meanwhile, I'm still Covid negative as of this morning and I haven't developed any of his symptoms. But I decided yesterday that I was not going to upend my life to avoid it in my own household. I am not wearing a mask at home (I wear a mask all day at work and that's quite enough, thanks) and we're both sleeping in our bed as usual. (We have a big bed and there's usually a snoring dog between us, so there can be a measure of social distancing while sleeping!) We don't have a guest room so my only other option would be moving to our sofa, which isn't very comfortable.

I figure, if I get it, I get it. My boss and her husband went through all sorts of elaborate attempts to keep his infection from spreading to her -- including masking around the house and sleeping in different rooms -- and she got it anyway. I think in all likelihood if Dave has Covid I'm already infected. So I'm just going to live life as usual and see what happens.


I found this walking Olga yesterday morning -- a tile drinks coaster,  lying on the sidewalk. There was also one with a heart on it but not really caring for the design, I left that one behind for the next lucky pedestrian!

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Many people like us are interested in ball sports. The pub looks very nice.

That is very interesting and I've never heard of kartoffelkäfer. The word sounds African.

I don't know what I would do if my partner became infected. The reverse too. The husband of my niece and their children who became infected last week has remained clear, even though he and niece sleep in the same bed.

The reply to a rooster calling at 5.00 am is not really what I should write on your blog.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Great tile and in such perfect condition! It seems to me wearing a mask around the house is akin to shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted. May Dave feel well today! We were just wondering aloud yesterday how we survived before Google.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

I wonder why The Beatles didn't call themselves The Kartoffelkäfer instead. After all. some of their happiest times together were spent in Hamburg.

Susan said...

What a great find on your walk! I am rather done with hearts, myself. I truly hope that Dave recovers quickly and that you manage to dodge the bullet, as it were. Being an introverted hermit, I feel pretty solid about not coming down with it, but have vaccinated and boosted, just in case.

Boud said...

I remember the Colorado potato beetle drive in the UK I think ib the fifties. The BBC never shut up about it! I don't remember that anyone was accused of introducing them though. But food eas such sn issue in the endless rationing well into the fifties, that people got upset about any threat.

I hope you both do well, worrying time for you.

Debby said...

What an interesting mix of topics in your blog post today. Sports, potato bugs, covid and coasters!

Stay well.

Ed said...

I used a set of Encyclopedia Britanicas before Google and lots of questions went unanswered.

I don’t blame you for your decision and would have made the same. You are fully vaccinated so chances are very small of serious disease if Dave is positive.

Bob said...

It is quite nice to have an entire encyclopedia at your fingertips.

I guess you and Dave are using the Olga Social Distancing Method.

Ms. Moon said...

I wonder the same thing all the time- how in the world did we manage before google? We just went around wondering about stuff, I guess. Isn't that crazy? A forty-five year old mystery now solved for you. That really is something.
I think you're probably making the right choices regarding Dave's illness. If he doesn't have covid he may have the flu, though. And have you had your flu shot? Take care.
And oh- the rooster makes a nice drink coaster. I approve.

ellen abbott said...

Well, we used the library or the encyclopedia but what a boon google is. So much easier and right at your fingertips. Iwonder, do they even publish encyclopedias anymore? I suppose I could ask google and find out. I don't blame you for not taking precautions at home. Seems to me he was contagious before he felt really bad so the exposure was already there. And I don't get the glass or tile coasters. I guess they work all right for hot beverages or in less humid clomes than ours because cold drinks down here on glass or tile just collect water that drips everywhere when you pick up the glass. We need coasters that absorb that condensation.

Ellen D. said...

We used the World Book Encyclopedia before Google but Google is much quicker!
Hope Dave feels better soon.

Anonymous said...

Google really is a wonderful convenient at-my-fingertips search machine. We had a bookcase full of encyclopedias when I was young. I loved that too.
Hope all goes well there and that Dave's and your tests are both negative. Take care.

The Bug said...

I love the chicken coaster! I really hope that it's not COVID, but you're right that if it is it's a little too late for you to try to isolate from Dave. Fingers crossed!

Sharon said...

I agree about Google, how did we manage. On the COVID front, fingers crossed for both of you.

Edna B said...

All those flags together look really nice. I never knew about those beetles. I also agree about Google. It really is quite a help. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Wilma said...

Hope your Good Morning continues and you remain symptom-free!
I love internet searches, although I use Duck Duck Go instead of Google most of the time. Google, as a company, weirds me out. I figure I can at least keep Google from knowing my searches and steering ads my way. But I still use gmail, and blogger, and the list goes on.

The Padre said...

Rut Row - Brother, Wear Your Mask And Sleep With Olga On The Couch - You Do Not Want This Virus And You Have Done Well This Far - Do Not Give In - Seriously, Stay Strong - Start Pounding The Greens And Fruits - Mix Up My Witches Brew Now And Thank Yourself Later - Sending All The Best Vibes Your Way - Be Well

Mary said...

Before the big G, I spent a lot of time in the reference section of the library...or flipping through all the little drawers of the card catalog files. When my father had a massive heart attack when I was a teen, I went through every serious medical reference book/journal I could find in the library to learn all about the causes/impact/prognosis. Thereafter, I became my father's advocate (he was in ICU for three weeks--and in subsequent years went on to have more MIs). Used to follow his doctors on rounds when they wouldn't take/make time to answer our family's questions (they 'loved' me...lol). Using precise medical jargon was a big help in getting them to take me seriously when I cross examined them. So we had our ways to get info when we needed it back in the old days. It may have been more cumbersome to acquire, but much of it was more legit than some of the garbage that currently floats on the internet.

Cheryl West said...

I think you have a very realistic attitude about dealing with the possibility of having Covid exposure at home. I would do the same if my husband or I was positive.
How nice to have Olga as your social distancer.
I also use Duck Duck Go for searches and think it is a marvel to find information so quickly.

Kelly said...

Google is definitely easier than poring through encyclopedias (which I loved doing as a child). All I could think of when I began your post was Six Flags Over Texas (which was the ONLY Six Flags when I was growing up). I might have to turn to Google to remember what those six flags were! (France, Spain, Mexico, Texas, USA, Confederacy??)

Hoping for good news about you AND Dave in tomorrow's post.

Peter said...

Before Google folks called Telephone Reference at the local library. I spent many hours on such questions.
Cheers

Margaret said...

I very much dislike potato bugs. (if they're the same thing) I too enjoy the ease of google and being able to easily "research" aka assuage my curiosity about various trivia. Your attitude toward the virus, if that's what it is, seems logical. It's nearly impossible to avoid it if you're living with the person.

Catalyst said...

Since you're both fully vaccinated, you should be safe from long term illness. I hope so. Take care, my friend.

Red said...

With Dave and your covid it's a damned if you do and damned if you don't. Living together in the same house is a challenge fighting covid.

Steve Reed said...

I know several cases of married couples where one spouse got it and the other apparently didn't. I don't know how it's possible but it does happen!

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, a mask at home is a step too far, in my mind.

Steve Reed said...

Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, though, does it? (Well, maybe a German tongue.)

Steve Reed said...

It's always good to be protected! I've never liked hearts. Too sappy.

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, that would be about the right time. Apparently they came to Liverpool in the 1800s but didn't become established until later. I think it was mainly on the continent where the accusations occurred!

Steve Reed said...

You never know what you'll get here! LOL

Steve Reed said...

We had Encyclopedia Brittanica too, but they were about 20 years old when I was trying to use them for school projects and I never found them very beneficial. Also, they were WAY too dense and complex. I also had a set of New World Encyclopedias that I liked a lot more.

Steve Reed said...

She's a great enforcer of social distance! Dogs in bed seemingly expand to take up maximum space. LOL

Steve Reed said...

It is funny how questions would come up and all we could do is idly wonder. In some ways maybe it was better for us. Do we NEED the answer to everything?

I have indeed had my flu shot!

Steve Reed said...

I imagine encyclopedias on paper are a dying industry, for sure! We don't have any encyclopedias in our library.

I think this coaster is meant for a mug of tea -- hence the "good morning" message. In that case it wouldn't sweat.

Steve Reed said...

I had New World Encyclopedias. I wrote about them years ago but I don't have them anymore:

https://shadowsteve.blogspot.com/2006/07/encyclopedia-clutteria.html

Steve Reed said...

I used to read my encyclopedias for fun! But nothing beats Google for quick access to information.

Steve Reed said...

Isn't that coaster cool? And the price was right! LOL

Steve Reed said...

We just wondered and lived without knowing the answer.

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, I like the flags! Very colorful!

Steve Reed said...

I don't care too much if Google compiles information about me. I have nothing to hide and I ignore the ads anyway!

Steve Reed said...

Fortunately I'm pretty diligent about eating fruit and veg, so maybe that's giving me a boost! Thanks for the positive vibes.

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, it's true that while information was harder to get back then, it was generally more reliable than what comes up in many Internet searches. One of the main things we try to teach students is how to find GOOD information among all the falsehoods. I think doctors probably get exasperated by people who spend a lot of time researching, but good for you for helping your dad!

Steve Reed said...

I mean, if it's in your house, it's really not something you can escape!

Steve Reed said...

There was a Six Flags over Georgia, which I think was our nearest Six Flags park. Do any of them exist anymore? I haven't heard about Six Flags in ages. (Time for a Google search!)

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, I used to call the reference desk now and then when I was stumped about something!

Steve Reed said...

I guess they're potato bugs! Maybe there's more than one kind?

Steve Reed said...

Safer in the long term, but we can still get sick, unfortunately!

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, I think if one person has it the other surely must.

Ed said...

Our school had a set of New World which I liked a lot more than the Brittanicas for the reason you mentioned. When I was younger, I thought it would be neat to read completely through a set of encyclopedias but I never attempted it.

Jeanie said...

Sending good wishes for Dave and hoping you stay negative. My cousin's husband had it; they didn't even distance (he kept testing negative for a week and they figured it was a cold) but she never got it. I hope that's your story too.

Love that coaster you found. You find great stuff on your walks!