Yesterday I was at the hardware store to get parts for one of my myriad projects. As I was standing in line to check-out I saw a college-aged girl walk in the front door, look right at me, and smile like she recognized me. She held the gaze long enough that I was certain it was me at whom she was looking, so I waved (as that is what one does when ( Read more... )

I make a point of giving something up for Lent every year.  I'm not Catholic, but I respect the practice of voluntarily doing without something that I enjoy.  I don't assign any spiritual value to my fast instead considering it an exercise of character: recognizing that I can do without whatever I'm giving up, acknowledging that it's something that ( Read more... )

May 2, 2011:  The headlines this morning read "Osama bin Laden is Dead!"  There were celebrations in the streets marking the end of an era.  Intriguingly, 66 years ago to the day there was a strikingly similar headline that also provoked celebration...

( May 2, 1945: )

So, since Friday last week my wife and I have been in the Pacific Northwest.  We came here for a conference (American Society of Rickettsiology) my wife wished to attend (and at which she presented a poster), and we've stayed to vacation and visit caelumpacis .

As I posted on my Facebook page I took the time while cheez_ball was in sessions to add windsurfing to my list ( Read more... )

Night before last as I sat watching TV with my wife one of the cats (The Dumb One) took the opportunity to get my attention by nuzzling and purring in my ear.  Normally I would've found it cute, but on this occasion I nearly jumped out of my skin.  Without intending it (or maybe the conniving little bastard did intend it) he had just invoked a very ( Read more... )

( I learned something today... )

During a discussion tonight with a surgeon about natural remedies he confessed that when he had his wisdom teeth removed as a teen-ager the dental hygenist recommended that he hold a teabag in his mouth to help with the bleeding ( Read more... )

I used to enjoy hospital and medical dramas, then I became a nurse.  I never really thought about why.  I just knew that I didn't like them anymore.  It seems that I'm not the only nurse dissatisfied with Hollywood.

I stole this from sistrmoon .

( The letter: )

Happy Birthday ruby7829 !!

Despite the title, this post is not a political statement.  I've just become outraged by the deceptions I've witnessed recently in the name of environmentalism and conservation.

In the last week I've seen two occasions of inaccurate information (bordering on outright lies) by groups promoting "green" agenda.  I support environmental responsibility ( Read more... )