Tonight I took my Storm Spotter recertification class. Every year about this time, they hold class at our city's Emergency Services building. Our severe weather season begins next month, so it comes at the right time for the info to be fresh in our heads when we go out into the nastiness.
One of the things I've been wanting to do is get a good shot or two of a real, live tornado. Not to mention storm clouds, lightning, and all the fury nature can throw at us. There is something ominously beautiful about severe weather that I find captivating. I'm kind of anxious to stretch my new camera's legs on stormy weather, too. Hopefully, we'll have plenty to choose from. Our NOAA meteorologist at the NWS here says it looks like it may be a lackluster year - unless "La Niña" peters out early. When it boils down to it, I guess they don't really know. *G*
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Four-Winged Dinosaur?
Fossilized remains of a 4-winged raptor the size of a pigeon have been found in China. Imagine a pint-sized, flying T-Rex! Teams of brains built models of this "thing" and tested it in a wind tunnel in an effort to understand this creature.
You can see it on NOVA (PBS) on the Tuesday, the 26th of February at 8:00pm EST. If you can't make it then, you can see it online on the 27th.
"Microraptor"
You can see it on NOVA (PBS) on the Tuesday, the 26th of February at 8:00pm EST. If you can't make it then, you can see it online on the 27th.
"Microraptor"Crabby Old Man
A friend sent me this in Email. I thought it was touching, and had to share.
A Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? What do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty, my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me my wife is now dead.
I look at the future I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man and nature is cruel.
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles. Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone, where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young guy still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys. I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years all too few gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people. Open and see,
Not a crabby old man. Look closer..............see ME!!
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty, my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me my wife is now dead.
I look at the future I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man and nature is cruel.
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles. Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone, where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young guy still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys. I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years all too few gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people. Open and see,
Not a crabby old man. Look closer..............see ME!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
When The Fight Started
Joke Of The Day
Got this in Email today. Couldn't help but laugh out loud.
********************************
I rear-ended a car this morning.
So there we are alongside the road and slowly the driver gets out of the car and you know how you just-get-sooo-stressed and life-stuff seems to get funny?
Yeah, well, I could NOT believe it . . . he was a DWARF!
He storms over to my car, looks up at me and says, "I AM NOT HAPPY!"
So, I look down at him and say, "Well, which one are you then?"
And that's when the fight started.
********************************
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Budding Artist?
It seems we have a budding artist in the house. I didn't realize he was so ambitious. I guess he's watched long enough, that he just had to try out the artist's utensils. Unfortunetely, he didn't have much luck with his dexterity. Maybe some day he'll try to use it from the right end.
Icy Weekend
Last night brought us a bit of ice in the form of freezing rain and drizzle. We are still under a winter storm warning until tomorrow morning. They are forecasting up to 3" of precipitation, and that is expected to be snow starting later today or tonight. I'm kind of glad to see it. We need a lot of precipitation to get our water levels up. The lake we get a large portion of our water from is looking pretty pitiful, being at record low levels. Right now, I'll take all I can get.
Later this month, I'll go for my Storm Spotter recertification. Hopefully, we'll get a good supply of severe weather this year - if only for the sake of getting lots of rain. And, I'm really wanting to get some good shots of tornadoes and other stormy goodies. :)
Later this month, I'll go for my Storm Spotter recertification. Hopefully, we'll get a good supply of severe weather this year - if only for the sake of getting lots of rain. And, I'm really wanting to get some good shots of tornadoes and other stormy goodies. :)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Clifford
Clifford ("the big red dog") paid a visit to our local PBS station today. It was their Valentine party, with Clifford as the MC. They ate heart-shaped donuts, drank chocolate or strawberry milk, made valentines, and won prizes. The kids all got to hug Clifford, including this young lady. They had a great time.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Ring-Billed Gull In Flight
This is probably turning out to be one of my favorites. I didn't think much of it at first, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. It was taken at the same location as the other gulls below, at a lake near my home. Many people consider the gull to be a good luck symbol. I got lucky on this one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
