On vacation in California, found a pair of attractive, barely-worn North Face winter boots (waterproof, fleece-lined) for $7 in a Marin thrift store. Much more useful in the Pacific Northwest than in this area. Score ( Read more... )

Ever have the feeling, briefly, that some new infrastructure in your world, no matter how flimsy, will signal a turnaround, a brave new approach to life ( Read more... )

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/chemistry/mo/struc/
allows you to browse organic molecules by the elements they contain, and shows you rotatable, three-dimensional representations of them.

In the late 1730s, a Scottish artist named Elizabeth Blackwell illustrated a huge manual of medicinal plants, in order to spring her husband from debtor's prison. Check out her detailed depictions of familiar plants like the "Love Apple" (tomato) that were rare exotics in Europe at the time: Read more... )

Doing online chemistry homework related to gas laws, I had to laugh when I read the beginning of the following sentence ( Read more... )

Got to meet the goats today. They're La Manche mixed with some dwarf variety, making for a streamlined animal of moderate size--a little smaller than most goats, with minimal ears. They're very curious and friendly, mouthing my housemate's bracelets and necklace, rubbing heads against us, leaving goat snot on our pants. They have a super nice set ( Read more... )

"I've been walkin' in my sleep

Countin' troubles 'stead of countin' sheep

Where the years went I can't say

I just turned around and they've gone away

I've been siftin' through the layers

Of dusty books and faded papers

They tell a story I used to know

And it was one that happened so long ago"

--Kate Wolf

This article made me happy on a pessimistic morning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7495717.stm

I didn't think I liked rice pudding until my parents served me some last time I was home ( Read more... )

Dawn, I'm so glad you're here! Happy birthday!