Something new

Saturday was spent in Columbus, NE, at an all day lab for my biology class.  18 students were expected - 14 showed - an interesting mix of ages (I'm pleased to add that the instructor is older than me) and motivations.  We were given a run down on lab journals, charts and graphs, and the procedures that would help make our at home experiments a success. We practiced with microscopes, which were then packed up, signed out, and sent home with us. 

I'll need to set up  place for my equipment and establish the control onditions for the first phase of my Euglena project.

Should be fun.

On the home front - Tim took Charlie to work with him.  Out of the facility most of last week, and heading east again tomorrow for a couple days, Tim  put in a few hours at work on Saturday and Sunday.  Charlie, in what is no surprise to some of us, has the makings of a good therapy dog. Tim reports that he was well mannered and obedient.   His coat is growing in and  he had a bath on Tuesday so he was shiny and soft and just starting to curl around the edges - handsome, in fact, and he thrives on the exchange of affection/attention.   

Did you get the memo?

There are days,  at the library, that we have time to speculate on some of the bigger questions like:
Who sends the memo!?
A book sits on the shelf for months.  One day three people, with no connection to each other, come in and ask for that book.  Who said what to bring that particular book to the general attention of the reading public?  We always check the Sunday paper - maybe there was a review or reference?  A passing comment on Oprah?  GMA? 
Or within weeks of each other, two (or more) authors will release a book featuring a similar story line.  I recently read new books by Dick Francis and David Rosenfelt.  Both story lines involved an Iraq veteran who had lost a leg below the knee.  What are the chances!? 

By any other name...

                      Roasting ears...sweet corn...corn on the cob...

a summertime staple - no matter what you call it

Birthday Greetings

Happy Birthday, James!

Friday the 13th

Tim and I were married on a Friday night - August 13, 1976 - a Friday the 13th.  So when the plumber replacing our hot water heater the other day, explained that he was late because he'd had trouble at the preceeding job by shrugging his shoulders and saying, "Friday the 13th!", I just smiled. 

We were both out of town last week.  I left on Saturday for central Iowa, returning Tuesday.  Tim left for Indianapolis on Sunday, back again Thursday.  I had his package wrapped and ready for him when I left for work on Thursday, knowing that he would be home before me.  And he had mine ready, too, when I got home that night.  Over the years he's done a pretty good job of finding some pretty good loot for anniversaries and such.  This year's will be one of my favorites.  Here's part of it - I wish the camera did them justice:

They simply sparkle.  These tiny ruby buttons are faceted cut glass.  They are gorgeous.