The North Idaho Front Porch (Boise, Sandpoint: loan, flood plain, banks)

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Can anyone recommend a licensed, competent person who can install a wood stove and wood stove pipe. I'm not having any luck finding anyone to do the job. I'm just north of Coeur d'Alene



Mostly, calls are not returned and the only fellow who came out to look never got back to me.


You can send me a private message if you don't want to post phone numbers online.

[Boone1791]

Originally Posted by Reziac

(What is he sniffing, at the end??)

I guess that's a holly bush, but the berries are blue. (How'd he know the berries are probably poisonous?)

[Reziac]

Probably can smell the toxins and that makes 'em 'not food'.

[Mister Torgue]

@Boone1791

Thanks for sharing. That picture is what I’d like to see everyday for the rest of my natural life. Gives me extra motivation for a quicker relocation to NID.

[elousv]

Remember the words of Sage, keep this thread on the front page.



If you are not aware, Idaho has this cool program where rare whiskeys are in a lottery that you can enter. They also have special releases.


2020-10-10_05-57-32 by elousv, on Flickr

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by Boone1791

I guess that's a holly bush, but the berries are blue. (How'd he know the berries are probably poisonous?)

So I got around to looking for it, and apparently it's something called an "Oregon grape":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahonia_aquifolium

with numerous cultivars:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahonia

"The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are included in smaller quantities in the traditional diets of Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples, mixed with salal or another sweeter fruit. Today, they are sometimes used to make jelly, alone or mixed with salal.[17] Oregon-grape juice can be fermented to make wine, similar to European barberry wine folk traditions, although it requires an unusually high amount of sugar.[18] The berries can also be eaten raw after the season's first frosts."

From the description, it kinda sounds like by comparison, chokecherries are pleasantly sweet.

Elsewhere I read that the berries are "medicinal" which usually means "variable toxicity and/or nasty side effects".

[looks further]
While some sites list it as non-toxic, I also found this:

======
Possible Side Effects
There are several side effects that have been reported from the use of Oregon grape, including:

Itching, burning, and irritation (at the site of topical cream administration)
Rash (particularly with topical use)
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Kidney inflammation and irritation
Allergic reactions
Liver toxicity

Potential Drug Interactions

Certain medicines may interact with Oregon grape and may interfere with the body’s ability to break down some types of medications in the liver. Anyone taking prescription medication should consult with the healthcare provider before taking Oregon grape.

Examples of medications that should not be taken with Oregon grape include:

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Any medications that are changed by the liver

Some medications that are broken down in the liver may be broken down differently (causing increased side effects of some medications).

Safety Precautions

Oregon grape is not recommended for people who are pregnant (it is thought to cross the placental barrier and may harm the fetus). Oregon grape is not safe for use by people who are breastfeeding; brain damage has been reported in newborn infants exposed to berberine, which can be transferred to the infant via breast milk.

The safety of Oregon grape has not been established for use in children (particularly in newborns).

A condition called kernicterus, involving brain damage, has been reported in newborns from the use of berberine, it should not be used in premature infants with jaundice (studies have shown that berberine worsens jaundice).

Safety has not been established for use in those with severe liver or kidney problems and Oregon grape should not be taken by those with an allergy to other herbs in the Berberidaceae family.

It is recommended that Oregon grape (taken by mouth) is used no longer than two to three weeks before taking a break from its use. Long-term internal use is not recommended; long-term use has been found to lead to adverse reactions such as damage to the natural probiotics in the gastrointestinal system and liver toxicity.

Some medical experts report that there is not enough medical research evidence to prove that Oregon grape is safe when ingested.
==========

So, apparently it's a serious risk for multiple organ damage, notably the liver. Do Not Eat.

[Boone1791]

Originally Posted by Reziac

So I got around to looking for it, and apparently it's something called an "Oregon grape"....

Thanks for the research!

Not a front porch shot, but out a window into the backyard....

[Reziac]

Wow. Good photo!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Awwww, what a beautiful scene! Now I just have to post a pic of one of our dogs on our Front Porch from last summer when he caught sight of a deer in the meadow...

[SanRemo]

We have sort of started our retirement journey to Sandpoint. We are buying land right now (hopefully we close next month) and then start the build in 4 years. I am soaking up any and all NID I can find. I love the pictures you all share!