Plants also detect the daily cycle of light and darkness. Do you know how plants respond to these changes? Some plants open their leaves during the day. It is during these hours the plant can collect sunlight. At night, the plant closes its leaves to prevent water loss. Many plants respond to the change in the length of the day. As days grow shorter, some plants respond by going dormant. Dormant is when a plant suspends its growth. It does this in order to survive. Shorter days signal the coming of winter. Winter in most areas means extreme cold. It is also very dry in the winter months. As winter approaches, some plants respond by their leaves changing color. After the change in color, they fall off. This dormancy period helps trees. It allows them to survive the cold and dry winter. Plants only want to grow when conditions are right.

What is it about winter that makes it difficult for plants to survive?

I had drunk too much, I confess, though we all had. Somehow, Tasha and I began to argue the worth of Solevgrad jazz, as inconsequential a topic as I can imagine. She had studied it in school, so she thought herself as an expert. I once had a neighbor who played it constantly, loudly, and badly, so I thought I knew it better. Malaquez tried to mediate, but I saw him as siding with Tasha. So, I think, did she. The subject shifted from music to Tasha's obsession with fame, undoubtedly by a leap that I made. She had no choice but to follow. (I do not remember any of this well, just now, nor do I care to. Those who are truly curious may look at the last act of "Captured Moments.") I remember suggesting, with characteristic tact, that she add Emil to her small list of major accomplishments. Malaquez glanced away, embarrassed. Tasha looked at me as if to say, "I will." She said, "I feel sorry for you, Nardo. I'll see Emil home." "Yes," I said, "Do that," and did not care what she did, or why. Emil asked, "You're all right?" I muttered something he must have interpreted as assent. They both walked up to Emil's home while I watched the scarlet moonlight ripple on distant waves. Disgusted with Tasha but more disgusted with myself, I finally realized she would not return that night and went into The Sleeping Flamingo to drink myself to sleep. She had not come home when I woke in mid-morning.

What did Nardo think he knew better?

You approach the door of your friends house. What is the first thing you do before entering? Of course, you wipe your feet. You are a thoughtful visitor. Fortunately, there is a nice piece of carpet by the door to wipe your shoes. Too bad your caring comes at a price. After wiping your feet on the mat you reach out to touch the brass knocker on the door. A spark suddenly jumps between your hand and the metal. You feel an electric shock. Why do you think an electric shock occurs? An electric shock occurs when there is a sudden discharge of static electricity. Has this ever happened to you? You reached out to touch a metal doorknob and received an unpleasant electric shock? The reason you get a shock is because of moving electric charges. Moving electric charges also create lightning bolts. It is also the same reason electric current flows through cables and wires.
What is the price you pay after wiping your feet on the piece of carpet and you reach for the brass door handle?