Bears at NC Museum of Life & Science

Yesterday we arrived at the NC Museum of Life and Science in Durham just in time to watch one of the animal keepers (Erin) providing the bears with some enrichment activity. She filled some balls with syrup and then tossed them into the exhibit for Yona, Gus, and Mimi to retrieve, play with, and snack [...]

In Praise of Pollen

We’ve lived in Durham, NC, for a full year. While we were somewhat prepared to endure the hot and humid summers, we had no idea what we were in for with pollen. But we have learned quickly. We are fortunate because we don’t have allergies to deal with. But we still had to learn to [...]

Inspiration (Where I work)

I was inspired today when I viewed this blog: Where I Write: Fantasy & Science Fiction Authors in their creative spaces. I started to wonder what the things you keep around your office say about you, your work, your inspiration. Then I decided to get brave. I took some photos of my own office space… [...]

Giving cancer the one-two punch (and trying to keep up with my reading)

What have I been doing lately? Reading, reading, reading (or at least trying to). So I can post reviews, reviews, reviews. Thanks for your patience! But that’s not the really important stuff that has been going on. Here’s what we’ve been up to while I’m trying to do all that reading. Spending time at the [...]

50 Things we know now that we didn’t know this time last year

The Princess Bride had it right all along. There really are R.O.U.S.s (see #36 below). Jeff Houck, a reporter for the Tampa Tribune suggested an award for best quote of the year be given to Richard Fisher (director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division) for a response he made when being interviewed by NPR (October 2009) about [...]

The High Cost of Terrific Sales

A little while ago I received an e-newsletter from the wonderful store where I bought my Heron bicycle. Jill DeMauro runs Proteus BIcycles in College Park, MD, and it is the most unique bike shop around (their website banner reflects the philosophy they live out: It’s not just about bikes). It’s really more like a [...]

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program…

I try to keep the subject matter of this blog free from too many personal posts or cute family photos. So, please forgive this intrusion into the typical line-up of content. I want to give some brief information about the events of this past week that may affect my blogging over the next few months. [...]

“Oy” is just “Yo” backwards (Hanukkah Part Two)

Hanukkah is probably the Jewish holiday with which non-Jews are most familiar. While it is celebrated close to Christmas, it historically predates Christmas and is a very different celebration.

Hubble Telescope Advent Calendar

I always feel a special connection to the Hubble telescope. And not just because I taught astronomy in an Earth science class. It is because I know one of the astronauts, Kathryn Thornton, who was a mission specialist EVA crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing and [...]

Next Holiday

Thanksgiving is over, and our eyes are turning toward the next big family holiday. Our Sundays will be filled with Advent traditions, and the countdown to December 25th has begun. But don’t miss celebrating one more wonderful holiday that commemorates another miraculous provision of the Lord. Chanukah is just around the corner! You may already [...]

Psalm for Thanksgiving Day

‏ שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת בְּשׁוּב יְהוָה אֶת־שִׁיבַת צִיּוֹן הָיִינוּ כְּחֹלְמִים׃ ‏ אָז יִמָּלֵא שְׂחוֹק פִּינוּ וּלְשׁוֹנֵנוּ רִנָּה אָז יֹאמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם הִגְדִּיל יְהוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת עִם־אֵלֶּה׃ ‎‏ הִגְדִּיל יְהוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּנוּ הָיִינוּ שְׂמֵחִים׃ ‎‏ שׁוּבָה יְהוָה אֶת־שְׁבִיתֵנוּ כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּגֶב׃ ‎‏ הַזֹּרְעִים בְּדִמְעָה בְּרִנָּה יִקְצֹרוּ׃ ‎‏ הָלוֹךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבָכֹה נֹשֵׂא מֶשֶׁךְ־הַזָּרַע בֹּא־יָבוֹא בְרִנָּה נֹשֵׂא אֲלֻמֹּתָיו׃ Psalm 126

Christian Attitudes Toward Hypnosis (a survey commissioned by CTR)

Alan Streett, editor of the Criswell Theological Review sent me a note, which I quote here. The Spring 2010 Criswell Theological Review (CTR) will focus on the mind-body connection. Besides articles by Joel Green and other scholars, we will include the results of the first-ever survey of Christian attitudes toward hypnosis, which we have commissioned. [...]

NC Museum of Life and Science: New Exhibit setting up

Ruby and I have been watching the new Holiday Springs and Sprockets being set up. (and this is also a test of the WordPress app for iPhone which let’s me post when I am out and about–like next week at SBL)     

Rare Photos reveal behavior of Sperm Whales and Giant Squid

National Geographic has some incredible photos of sperm whales eating a giant squid and then photos of the five adult whales apparently teaching a young calf how to dive and hunt. Here is just one of the 5 photos posted. Read the brief articles that accompany the slide show.

A face only a mother could love (photography in celebration of Halloween)

Another set of amazing insect macro-photography. Take a look at the whole set here.