13 Question Quiz June 18, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Fun & Games, Humor, Nature.Tags: Pew Research Center, Quiz, Science in Society, Smithsonian
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Do you know more about science and technology than the average American?
Take this 13-question quiz to test your knowledge of scientific concepts.
Click here: Science and Technology Knowledge Quiz
Then see how you did in comparison with the 1,006 randomly sampled adults asked the same questions in a national poll conducted by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine.
Share your results with us too!
Aah . . . what a smart bunch!
We’re Getting More Stoopider May 24, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Mindfulness, Nature, People.Tags: Ape, Intelligence, Intelligence quotient, Kim Kardashian
35 comments
The idea behind Planet of the Apes is not so far-fetched.
As it turns out, apes are getting smarter while we, their closest relatives, are getting dumber with each passing generation.
Why?
Downward spiraling evolution.
Geneticists cite a number of contributing factors:
* We no longer need to be resourceful to survive. We rely on others for food, clothing, shelter . . . even allowing “them” to do our thinking.
* “Survival of the fittest” no longer weeds out losers in the IQ department.
* Intelligent women have fewer children while women with less intelligence breed in greater numbers.
I’ll add another factor . . . Reality TV, Pumpkin Chuckin, Monster Truck Rallies, and other entertainments aimed at the “lowest common denominator.”
Instead of engaging in intellectually stimulating debate on the “big issues” of the day, we spend time in mind-numbing pursuits causing brain atrophy.
Will our brains go the way of our tails, shrinking from non-use?
Will computers eventually do all our thinking for us?
Will the images from Planet of the Apes become our reality?
Perhaps.
Use it . . . or lose it.
If we brought an average citizen from 1,000 B.C. to the present, they would be far brighter than the average Joe of today:
“I would wager that if an average citizen from Athens of 1000 BC were to suddenly appear among us, he or she would be among the brightest and most intellectually alive of our colleagues and companies, with a good memory, a broad range of ideas, and a clear-sighted view of important issues.”
Gerald Crabtree, a geneticist at Stanford University, whose findings were published in the journal Trends in Genetics.
And, just think, that citizen of Athens is none the wiser about Kim Kardashian and celebrities of like ilk who garner far too much recognition and attention for far too little reason. Sometimes ignorance IS bliss!
Aah . . . that’s better!
What do YOU think?
Related articles: Dumb and Dumber ~ Humans are Losing Their Smarts (US News & World Report) * Leading Geneticist: Human Intelligence is Slowly Declining (Natural Society) * Idiocracy ~ the feel-bad comedy of the year
Two Upcoming Sky Events May 9, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Bulletin Board, Nature, Special Events.Tags: Bulletin Board, Comet, Jupiter, Mercury, NASA, Venus
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At the Planetarium last night, we heard about two upcoming sky events:
1. On May 26th, the conjunction of Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus just over the horizon at sunset. Mercury, which is rarely visible, will be “lit up” by the proximity of Jupiter and Venus.
Here’s a time lapse video of a similar event from February 2012:
2. In November / December, for a period of almost 3 weeks, Comet Ison will be big and bright . . . for a brief time it may appear brighter than the full Moon causing it to be visible during the day!
Footnote on Comet Ison’s Name (from Wikipedia):
The name of the comet is simply C/2012 S1. The addition of “(ISON)” after its name merely identifies the organization where its discovery was made, the Russia-based International Scientific Optical Network.
If the same organization had discovered a similar, but unrelated comet one day later, that one would have been named “C/2012 S2 (ISON)”.
Media sources, incorrectly interpreting the parenthetical identification as a nickname, have taken to calling the comet by the location of its discovery, which could become confusing with later discoveries made from ISON.
The names of famous short-period comets usually identify the astronomers who discovered them or clearly identified them as a periodic comet, such as Halley’s Comet or Comet Swift–Tuttle. If that convention were followed, this should be the Comet Nevski–Novichonok or C/2012 S1 (Nevski–Novichonok).
Comet Nevski-Novichonok has a nice ring to it!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: Star Gazing (Water Witch’s Daughter)
The Impossible April 29, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Nature, People, Synchronicity & Mystery.Tags: Ewan McGregor, Movies, Naomi Watt, Spirit, Thailand, Tsunami
40 comments
The 2004 Tsunami that rolled ashore on December 26th came out of the blue.
Families on holiday frolicked on beaches and played in pools, never suspecting the tidal tension heading their way in waves as the result of a massive earthquake.
When the waves came, they changed the landscape of those lives forever.
In The Impossible, we share the terrifying ordeal through the eyes of a family of five.
Living is life changing. Happiness lost. And found.
Watching the movie reminded me to notice all the good in my life.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, gave the film a perfect four star rating, praising the performances of Watts and McGregor, as well as the direction of Bayona, proclaiming it ”one of the best films of the year.”
Have you seen it?
Paradise Found April 18, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Humor, Nature, Travel & Leisure.Tags: Anna Maria Island, Beach, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Leisure, Travel
36 comments
WARNING: Postpone reading this post if you are:
(1) nursing, pregnant, or about to become pregnant
(2) overworked, over tired, or just plain cranky
(3) in the middle of changing a smelly diaper
(4) prone to fits of jealousy
Still here?
Okay . . . I warned ya!
If you’re planning a warm weather get-a-way in the not-too-distant future, pour yourself a drink, kick back, and I’ll tell you about an island just off the coast of Florida ~ a multi-faceted jewel which has garnered well-deserved recognition from travel agents, travel writers, and travelers due to its wide sandy beaches and laid-back tropical atmosphere.
Located forty miles southwest of Tampa and just north of Sarasota, Anna Maria Island (AMI) is paradise found ~ a sleepy barrier island filled with wonderful nooks and crannies and more than a few fine dining establishments.
The NY Times Travel article, “A Florida Island, End to End, Table by Table, highlighted the wide variety of dining options available on this blissful island ~ from burger joints, surf bars, and bistros to waterfront restaurants and Zagat-rated fine dining.
But eating a Cheeseburger in Paradise while sipping a refreshing tropical drink is far from the only appeal offered by this gem of an island:
* AMI offers rooms with a view ~ vacation rentals, inns, and small boutique hotels cater to island tourists.
* A free trolley, turquoise to match the Gulf of Mexico, runs the length of the island from first light to late night, allowing tourists covered with oil to hop aboard and leave their cars sitting idle for much of their stay.
* Fishing piers at three distinct bay side locations offer gorgeous and expansive water views, along with waterfront dining, birdwatching, boating and fishing.
At the AMI City Pier, visitors can browse the Pine Avenue Shops, buy provisions for a picnic on the bay, or enjoy lunch on the pier or at the nearby Waterfront Restaurant.
Rod and Reel Pier offers a rustic bar downstairs and amazing views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and surrounding waters from a 2nd floor dining room.
At the Historic Bridge Street Pier, mid-island, eclectic shops offer island art, apparel, souvenirs, and beach gear. Hungry? Enjoy waterfront dining at Rotten Ralphs, the Bridge Tender Inn, Sun House, and Island Creperie.
* Boat launches are available at several points on the island, as well as on the causeway leading from the mainland.
* Island businesses offer parasailing adventures, bike rentals, charter fishing and sailing excursions, as well as Segway rentals.
* White sandy beaches provide picnic tables, palm trees, playgrounds, and shaded parking to beach goers.
* Beachfront cafes at the two main beaches, Coquina and Manatee, sell seafood, sandwiches, and sides to sun worshippers. Wine and beer are available on the deck ~ alcohol is not permitted on the beach.
* At Manatee Beach, the Beach Cafe offers live music daily from 4-8 pm with a Drum Circle at sunset on Friday nights.
* Small boutiques dot the island, offering island apparel, original artwork and jewelry, seashells, beach needs, and tropical souvenirs.
* Nature preserves on and off the island offer trails for kayaking, canoeing, biking, hiking, birdwatching, and nature walks.
Of course, once you arrive and unpack your bathing suit and flip flops, you may decide to ignore everything but the sun, the sand, and the surf.
We get that.
Relax. Bury your feet in the sand. Enjoy our island ambiance beneath swaying palms. Allow warm gulf breezes to whisk your cares away.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Island Trolley and Sun House by Barbara Hines ~ Island Gallery West
Rock Climbing in Yosemite April 6, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Humor, Nature, Travel & Leisure.Tags: El Capitan, Humor, Nature, Travel and Tourism, Yosemite National Park
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BFF and I have decided NOT to climb the cliff face of El Capitan on our next visit to Yosemite National Park in California.
We reached this decision last night while watching National Geographic’s Secret Yosemite.
This decision has nothing to do with advancing age.
(Except as it relates to the acquisition of wisdom and common sense.)
Our thinking is three-fold:
1. The granite stone acts as a lightning rod when storms roll through with majestic fury. We have no desire to be lit up like Christmas Trees.
2. The climber we watched spent 3 full days in the assent . . . enjoying a two-night stay in a hammock/sling perched a full 2000 feet above the valley floor. That’s the height of a 200-story skyscraper. T~A~L~L.
3. Bathroom breaks. Enough said.
We’ll confine our hikes to terra firma where we can bury our business if nature calls when no stalls are available.
Aah . . . that’s better!
How about you?
Does scaling 3000-foot granite cliffs hold any appeal? Or would you rather watch others attempt the ascent . . . from the relative safety of the valley floor?
I say “relative safety” because when chips fall off the old block, they crash to earth with immense power . . . creating wind gusts of 300 miles per hour which can knock down trees in a half mile radius like a bowling ball takes out pins.
Quiggle’s Search For Spring March 15, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Fun & Games, Nature, Poetry, Special Events, Word Play.Tags: Contest, Fun & Games, Mardi Gras, Picture book, Spring, Word Play
77 comments
Tired of drifting snow and freezing rain
Quiggle went off in search of Spring
He puddled in mud and slogged in slush
Through fields and marshes full of mush
He saw geese flying high, flapping wings
But he didn’t see any sign of Spring
Robin gathered twigs to feather her nest
Laying blue eggs is what robins do best
Quiggle saw a March Hare doing its thing
But he didn’t see any sign of Spring
Bears emerged from steady slumber
After months spent ‘neath frozen tundra
Bright sunny skies seemed to sing
But Quiggle didn’t see any sign of Spring
Baseball diamonds came alive
With bases rounded amid high fives
Fans cheered at the crack of the bat
But Quiggle didn’t have time for that
Bicycles emerged to sail down streets
Picnic tables groaned with good eats
Life abounded with sweet pleasures
But Quiggle overlooked these treasures
Groundhog Day came and went
Mardi Gras signaled the start of Lent
The Irish celebrated St. Paddy’s Day
As Quiggle continued on his way
Farmers plowed long straight rows
Seed bags stacked, ready to sow
Lambs kicked up wooly heels
Chasing each other between meals
Quiggle walked on, looking high and low
No longer sure which way to go
One day about to abandon his quest
Quiggle spied a sea of yellow trumpets
“Daffodils, daffodils . . . that’s the thing!”
Quiggle giggled, “I found Spring!”
Spring sometimes arrives in slow motion
Casting its spell like a magic potion
With daffodils waltzing, full of cheer
Quiggle knew Spring was really here
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Contest: Write a children’s story, in poetry or prose, maximum 350 words.
Make sure the last line says, “[Character Name] knew Spring was really here!” or “[Character Name] knew Spring was here at last!”
For complete rules, see Susannah’s latest post ~ In Just Spring Contest.
The Prize: The winner of the In Just Spring Contest will receive the opportunity to send a picture book manuscript to Laura Galvin, Editor at Kidsbooks!!!
That’s right, you’ll have the chance to put a manuscript you wrote on an actual real live editor’s desk at an actual publishing house and be guaranteed that she will read it and offer constructive feedback!
Deadline for Contest Submissions: Monday at midnight. Get cracking!
Skunk! March 13, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Life Lessons, Mindfulness, Nature, People.Tags: Life Lessons, Mindfulness, People, Root beer, Skunk
48 comments
Sometimes life swamps us.
Other times it skunks us.
What should you do when you get skunked?
Wash It Off.
Wash it off as f~a~s~t as you can.
Neutralize the odor with tomato juice or lemon juice or milk or root beer . . . and wash it off.
Get into the shower, soap up, and let the stink sink down the drain.
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.
Don’t stop in the midst of the wash off process to phone a friend. You don’t need to ask them WHY the skunk did what the skunk did.
Stinking us up by skunking us is what skunks do.
We all get that.
You get that.
There’s no need to analyze the skunk before washing off the skunk gunk.
Just wash it off.
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.
As many times as it takes.
Aah . . . that’s better!
If You Want A Garden . . . Plant Seeds February 24, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Home & Garden, Nature, People.Tags: Garden, Magic, Mystery, Plant, Seed, Synchronicity
46 comments
Last fall, I received a packet of magic beans.
Stunning violet purple pods that turn emerald green after cooking.
I put the unopened packet on my desk and …
Nothing happened.
Until I planted them.
And watered them.
And applied fertilizer.
After I took the necessary action, the beans sprouted.
Magic!
Once planted in fertile soil, they started to transform from hard pellets to lush green Royal Burgundy Bush Beans.
We are just like those magic beans.
If we want brilliant blooms tomorrow . . . we must sow the seeds today.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Crowley Heritage Festival February 10, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Art & Photography, Nature.Tags: Cattle, Crowley
40 comments
We headed down, Myakka way
And paused to hear musicians play
Our path meandered through the glade
High above, the canopy swayed
We passed grazing cows, intent on lunch
And lazing cows, huddled in a bunch
Metallic cocks crowed in colored splendor
As car lovers drooled over hood and fender
Flowers shared brilliant blooms with buzzing bees
Shade cooled the shadows ‘neath the trees
We wandered on, keeping pace with the path
Until the promised tower appeared at last
We climbed the steps and inhaled the view
A lovely day . . . through and through
* * * * *
Now . . . can you make heads or tails of this UFO (Unidentified Fowl Object)?
Hint: Birds of a feather flock together . . .
Even fowl with far more fluff than feather
Hmm . . . if that was MY chicken, I would call it H.R. Fluff ‘n’ stuff!
Aah . . . that’s better!
