WEATHER DATA—
Yesterday’s high: 9
Last night’s low: -4
Conditions: Chilly
Monday, February 5, 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
BOOK REPORT—
On the Water, by Nathaniel Stone
Excellent word craft and an even better story of rowing a boat up the Hudson River to Albany, the Erie Canal to Lake Erie, a short portage then rivers like the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Then, a few million oar strokes more to Key West and, back to the start in NY City’s harbor. Finally, the epilogue; a rowing jaunt out Long Island Sound, and around Cape Cod to that end of the continental US at Eastport, Maine. A truly enthralling read. Bravo!
On the Water, by Nathaniel Stone
Excellent word craft and an even better story of rowing a boat up the Hudson River to Albany, the Erie Canal to Lake Erie, a short portage then rivers like the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Then, a few million oar strokes more to Key West and, back to the start in NY City’s harbor. Finally, the epilogue; a rowing jaunt out Long Island Sound, and around Cape Cod to that end of the continental US at Eastport, Maine. A truly enthralling read. Bravo!
PROJECT FEEDER WATCH—
Each winter I participate in this bird counting effort for the ornithologists at Cornell University. We record and report both the total quantity and different species of birds seen at the feeders over two days on alternate weekends.
My supply of both birds and species usually is abundant. This report, for example, I saw 17 different species. Imagine that. And, the greatest quantity of any one species seen at one time was Cardinals; 20 of them!
Less common birds appearing in my count this time include: white throated sparrows, flickers, and Carolina wrens; of which it is not uncommon to see only one each during the count periods.
Over 30,000 of us (“citizen scientists” we are called) across the US participate and our raw data are crunched by the real scientists who keep a watchful eye on population trends, range expansions or contractions, and bird health for examples.
We pay close attention for evidence of conjunctivitis; an eye disease that is hurting the house finches and has spread to the goldfinches.
Each winter I participate in this bird counting effort for the ornithologists at Cornell University. We record and report both the total quantity and different species of birds seen at the feeders over two days on alternate weekends.
My supply of both birds and species usually is abundant. This report, for example, I saw 17 different species. Imagine that. And, the greatest quantity of any one species seen at one time was Cardinals; 20 of them!
Less common birds appearing in my count this time include: white throated sparrows, flickers, and Carolina wrens; of which it is not uncommon to see only one each during the count periods.
Over 30,000 of us (“citizen scientists” we are called) across the US participate and our raw data are crunched by the real scientists who keep a watchful eye on population trends, range expansions or contractions, and bird health for examples.
We pay close attention for evidence of conjunctivitis; an eye disease that is hurting the house finches and has spread to the goldfinches.
It’s a nice way to endure winter’s bluster while making a helpful contribution to the scholarly study of our feathered friends.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
THE DAWN'S SKY--
At 5 a.m. today the temperature was minus 2.2 degrees and last night’s full moon conspired with the snow covered ground to imitate dawn.
In the east-southeast sky about 20 degrees above the horizon a solitary bright star dominates the view.
That bright “star” actually is the planet Jupiter; our nearest giant neighbor in the solar system. The word “giant” is fitting. Next to the sun it is the largest object in our celestial vicinity with a diameter of over 88,000 miles. The earth’s diameter is a relatively puny 8,000 miles--give or take a few--by comparison.
When you are looking at Jupiter you can be proud of your stunning eyesight. You are seeing an object that is about 400 million miles away. On the next clear morning, take a peek with your binoculars. You will be able to see three or four (usually) of Jupiter’s many moons. Make a sketch of what you see. When you look again a day or so later, they will be in different positions—because they are orbiting their planet. That’s how you can prove they are moons and not background stars.
Ahhh; many visual rewards are available to us when we simply take a look.
At 5 a.m. today the temperature was minus 2.2 degrees and last night’s full moon conspired with the snow covered ground to imitate dawn.
In the east-southeast sky about 20 degrees above the horizon a solitary bright star dominates the view.
That bright “star” actually is the planet Jupiter; our nearest giant neighbor in the solar system. The word “giant” is fitting. Next to the sun it is the largest object in our celestial vicinity with a diameter of over 88,000 miles. The earth’s diameter is a relatively puny 8,000 miles--give or take a few--by comparison.
When you are looking at Jupiter you can be proud of your stunning eyesight. You are seeing an object that is about 400 million miles away. On the next clear morning, take a peek with your binoculars. You will be able to see three or four (usually) of Jupiter’s many moons. Make a sketch of what you see. When you look again a day or so later, they will be in different positions—because they are orbiting their planet. That’s how you can prove they are moons and not background stars.
Ahhh; many visual rewards are available to us when we simply take a look.
Friday, February 2, 2007
COMMENTERRY—
Panic in Boston
In yesterday’s headlines, this: “Terror Scare Brings Boston to Standstill”. I can picture hizzhonor the mayor screaming from under his desk, “Call out the national guard...I want the municipal hockey rink defended by tanks. RIGHT NOW!”
Meanwhile, the freeways screech to a standstill while the local constabulary whizzes to and fro in a panicked search for the electronic culprits reported to be invading their town. Bomb squads were deployed with more than 500 thousand bucks worth of public protection hurled at the onslaught.
Turns out the “invasion” was 38 quirky, battery powered signs promoting a cartoon show on some children’s TV network.
Also turns out similar “invasions” had occurred in 10 other major US cities over the past several weeks with nary a public utterance.
As the Boston panic slowly subsided, the local persecutor up there was heard muttering, “We’ll pull out all stops to punish this reckless, irresponsible and illegal behavior.”
Attaway Beantown. You tell ‘em!
Meanwhile, adult municipal officials elsewhere were seen chuckling discretely at the reactionary silliness of their eastern contemporaries.
Panic in Boston
In yesterday’s headlines, this: “Terror Scare Brings Boston to Standstill”. I can picture hizzhonor the mayor screaming from under his desk, “Call out the national guard...I want the municipal hockey rink defended by tanks. RIGHT NOW!”
Meanwhile, the freeways screech to a standstill while the local constabulary whizzes to and fro in a panicked search for the electronic culprits reported to be invading their town. Bomb squads were deployed with more than 500 thousand bucks worth of public protection hurled at the onslaught.
Turns out the “invasion” was 38 quirky, battery powered signs promoting a cartoon show on some children’s TV network.
Also turns out similar “invasions” had occurred in 10 other major US cities over the past several weeks with nary a public utterance.
As the Boston panic slowly subsided, the local persecutor up there was heard muttering, “We’ll pull out all stops to punish this reckless, irresponsible and illegal behavior.”
Attaway Beantown. You tell ‘em!
Meanwhile, adult municipal officials elsewhere were seen chuckling discretely at the reactionary silliness of their eastern contemporaries.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
COMMENTERRY—
Our Hardware Store
Karen and Chuck and Brad and John, and other fine folks as well, work in our hardware store. And, when I walk in they all say something like, “Hi Terry, how can I help you?” And, 99 percent of the time they can.
There must be about 17 bazillion items in the store. If what you need isn’t there it will be on Thursday’s delivery truck. Need advice on how to fix your widget? Chances are good they can help with that too.
Once I needed only one electrical insulator. They only sold them by the bag full. Molly said, “I have some at home and will be there for lunch. Check my mail box this afternoon.” I did. Sure enough; problem solved.
Another time, my bride’s favorite recliner was poking her where she sat. A spring connection was broke. They scrounged around and found a substitute part. Cost, 15 cents. They ragged on me for my “huge” purchase; with a huge smile and a “thank you” for my business.
Now, a ponderous box store is a few miles up the road. A challenge I am sure. I hope my town will not squander the healthy future of our hardware by chasing the myth of bargain shopping at that indifferent retail giant.
Our hardware is a slice of Americana and it is right there on our town’s Main St., straight across from the village green. May it ever be so!
Norman Rockwell would smile.
Our Hardware Store
Karen and Chuck and Brad and John, and other fine folks as well, work in our hardware store. And, when I walk in they all say something like, “Hi Terry, how can I help you?” And, 99 percent of the time they can.
There must be about 17 bazillion items in the store. If what you need isn’t there it will be on Thursday’s delivery truck. Need advice on how to fix your widget? Chances are good they can help with that too.
Once I needed only one electrical insulator. They only sold them by the bag full. Molly said, “I have some at home and will be there for lunch. Check my mail box this afternoon.” I did. Sure enough; problem solved.
Another time, my bride’s favorite recliner was poking her where she sat. A spring connection was broke. They scrounged around and found a substitute part. Cost, 15 cents. They ragged on me for my “huge” purchase; with a huge smile and a “thank you” for my business.
Now, a ponderous box store is a few miles up the road. A challenge I am sure. I hope my town will not squander the healthy future of our hardware by chasing the myth of bargain shopping at that indifferent retail giant.
Our hardware is a slice of Americana and it is right there on our town’s Main St., straight across from the village green. May it ever be so!
Norman Rockwell would smile.
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