Debbie was watering the plants on the front porch when she heard a tapping sound. She looked up and spotted the source: a ladder-backed woodpecker working its way up the trunk of our neighbors’ red oak tree. We don’t see many woodpeckers around here, so it was definitely a photo opportunity. In the second photo,… Continue reading Woodpecker
Seeing is Disbelieving
Brains are funny things [Via Neatorama].
Living Small
There’s a lot to be said for simplifying one’s life, although it’s usually much easier to talk about it than to actually do it. I often declare (to no one in particular) that every time we buy something new for the house, we should get rid of something old. Of course, that only allows us… Continue reading Living Small
Random Thursday
More bloggy randomness while asking the eternal question, “what did you think was going to happen when you gave people money to trade in their pickups?” If you’re in the oil business (aka the “awl bidness”) and you’re not a regular reader of The Oil Drum, then you’re missing out on one of more valuable… Continue reading Random Thursday
Coyote Serenade
We’re constantly delighted with the intrusion of the rural trappings of nature upon the suburban location of our neighborhood. However, one of those trappings had been noticeably absent in the past few months: coyotes. That’s not entirely accurate. I had occasionally spotted one here and there, even in the middle of the afternoon, but we… Continue reading Coyote Serenade
The Anatomy of a Curve Ball
In honor of the World Series (which I understand is being contested now between two teams indistinguishable from Yankees, regardless of what they’re called, and thus is of absolutely no consequence to your scribe) here’s an analysis of why a well-pitched curve ball is the stuff of batters’ nightmares. The animated visual is particularly remarkable.… Continue reading The Anatomy of a Curve Ball
Instant Coffee Gratification
When we arrived for our usual Wednesday evening interlude at the Rankin Highway Starbucks, we were greeted by a barista wearing a lobster on her head. I tried not to stare, acting as though this was a commonplace occurrence in my daily routine, but curiosity finally got the better of me. Why are you wearing… Continue reading Instant Coffee Gratification
Random Thursday
Say, did you notice that I posted not once but twice yesterday? Pretty impressive, huh? Could this be a sign of things to come? Nah, probably not. Scientists think they’ve discovered the opening to a vast system of tunnels on the moon. Oh, great. Another way for illegal aliens to cross the border onto earth.… Continue reading Random Thursday
Pizza Math (or “They told me geometry would someday be useful”)
We enjoyed a DiGiorno pizza last night, a Thin Crust Supreme supplemented with extra mozzarella and pepperoni, if you must know. And while it was quite tasty and a completely acceptable and less expensive alternative to a restaurant offering, it was also square. There were some logistical issues of fitting it on a round serving… Continue reading Pizza Math (or “They told me geometry would someday be useful”)
Random Thursday
To those banks who took TARP money and are now experiencing the not-go-gentle hand of the federal government’s regulation of executive pay, allow me to remind you of the old saying about lying down with dogs. Canon’s new S90 camera got a rave review from the Wired Magazine‘s reviewer, who called it “the best compact… Continue reading Random Thursday