Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, Fiction, persistence, Thoughts, Writers, writing on April 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Beginning is underrated. Merely beginning. With inadequate preparation, because you will never be fully prepared. With imperfect odds of success, because the odds are never perfect. Begin. With the humility of someone who’s not sure, and the excitement of someone who knows that it’s possible.”
— Seth Godin
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, Avian Truman Show, birds, nature on April 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Despite the last-gasp storm a few days ago, spring is very much underway and nature is rising to the challenge. That means babies. One of our local bird shops set up a nesting box, complete with cameras. Curious about the family life of the barred owl? This one’s for you!
WBU Barred Owl Cam | Interior and Exterior Owl Nest Box Camera Views | Wild Birds Unlimited
Our live streaming video feeds are up and running, ready to immerse you in the enchanting world of these magnificent creatures.
The view outside the nest:
Rude but fascinating view inside the nest:
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, eclipse 2024, science, Thoughts on April 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Our eclipse experience was great. We found a terrific little nature preserve called the Cooper Marsh Conservation Area, with boardwalks, picnic tables, lawns and benches. Lunch, exploration, then a bit of chillaxation as we waited for the eclipse.
When they said that there is a significant difference between 99% and totality, they were not kidding. It was a beautiful day, but when the light faded and the stars came out? Just perfect.
If you missed it, here are highlights from NASA’s feed, along with a collection of images.
Amazing!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, eclipse 2024, science on April 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »
If you can go outside and view the eclipse using protective glasses or an indirect method like a pinhole or disco ball, great! But even if you can’t get outside, there are many ways to watch the event online, like The Planetary Society’s live cast with Bill Nye.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, oops, Thoughts, Writers, writing on April 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »
This morning I tried a new recipe. It turned out… on the mediocre side of ok.
I made copious notes and version 2.0 will be better, but what I really took away from the experience was what I was telling myself throughout the bake: Something wasn’t right.
Turns out, I should have listened.
The result was a bit of a mess, but that’s fine. I get some of my best ideas when I’m working with an idea that, well, doesn’t work. Knowing what’s broken makes a project easier to fix. That applies to food and to art.
So, my takeaway from today, for both cooking and writing: trust yourself. Learn, experiment, use the Force, whatever helps you take that next step down the path.
It will be fine.
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, eclipse 2024, science on April 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Why care about Monday’s eclipse (aside from the fact that it’s demonstrably cool)? This physicist is working to find answers to the why, how and how bad of coronas and solar storms, and eclipses can help with that. How? Read on!
Why a solar physicist has been chasing solar eclipses for more than three decades – Vox
Despite how much damage solar storms can do to our tech on Earth, scientists are still struggling to predict them. And that’s because they don’t understand that much about how the corona works.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing on April 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“In filling the well, think magic. Think delight. Think fun. Do not think duty. Do not do what you should do—spiritual sit-ups like reading a dull but recommended critical text. Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery.”
― Julia Cameron
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, astronomy, eclipse, eclipse 2024, NASA, safety first!, science, solar-eclipse, sun on April 4, 2024| Leave a Comment »
If you are anywhere near the path of totality for the big event on Monday, April 8th, are you eclipse ready? I will argue that one of the most important parts of such prep is to ensure that you have a plan for safe eclipse viewing. This article may be of help:
Are Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Fake? Here’s How to Check | Scientific American
Legitimate eclipse glasses are at least 1,000 times darker than the darkest sunglasses you can buy….
While lab tests are the best way to determine whether glasses meet the ISO standard, Fienberg says there is a three-part test people can do at home if they’re concerned their eclipse viewers aren’t up to the task.
First, put your glasses on indoors and look around. The only things you should be able to see are very bright lights, such as a halogen bulb or a smartphone flashlight.
Then, if the glasses pass the indoor test, bring them outside—but don’t look at the sun just yet. Look around: it should be too dark to see distant hills, trees or even the ground.
If that second test is passed, keep the glasses on and quickly glance at the sun. You should comfortably see a bright, sharp-edged round disk. If your glasses pass all three tests, they are probably safe to wear. Still, Fienberg points out that it’s best to use them for only a few seconds every minute or so during the eclipse…
Here’s a reference for Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters | Solar Eclipse Across America.
Your eyes need eclipse protection, but did you know that your phone/camera does too?
How to photograph the eclipse, according to NASA | Popular Science
Speaking of NASA, NASA needs your smartphone during April’s solar eclipse. Go citizen scientists!
And if you’re already looking forward to upcoming total solar eclipses, here’s a map to help you plan:
2106, here we come!
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Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, funny, genre fiction, inspiration on April 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Is your troll of boss driving you crazy? Are you tired of the backbreaking work involved in cleaning up after Medusa? Or having to answer three questions from the Sphinx before you can get through the employee entrance? I’m sorry (and may I suggest you add an axe of cold iron, a very shiny shield, and a riddle book to your daypack?).
Still, this job posting is here to remind you that things can always be worse!
Dragon Hoarding Enormous Pile of Treasure Seeks Unpaid Intern – McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
The work is not just coffee-fetching and gold-polishing — you will gain plenty of on-site experience. Past interns have been lucky enough to watch a knight be brutally murdered. Successful interns are detail-oriented, unafraid of random bursts of fire, and able to jump at least three vertical feet to avoid a swinging, razor-sharp reptilian tail.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, persistence, quoteandaprettypicture on April 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“You’ve got to make the big time where you are.”
— Matt Lynch, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Men’s Basketball Coach
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