meeyauw

Monday, June 18, 2007

Math Notes from Futility Closet

Math Notes | Futility Closet

I love patterns like this. Give it a look.

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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sluggish Snails at Mead's Falls

While at Mead's Falls, I saw these creatures. They are very small. They are the same animal I tried to photograph in Killington on the dandelions.

I think these are some of the best photos I have taken. I enjoy looking at the tiny antennae.

A slug's body and it looks like a snail's shell. I did not touch them to see if it was a shell or not!

You absolutely must click on each photo (which will open a new window) to see the large version.

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Maya Angelou on Hillary

WHOO HOOO! Ms. Angelou has been a hero of mine for years. Her endorsement of Hillary is the only thing anyone needs to vote for Hillary.

Ms. Angelou mentions "Phenomenal Woman" in this video. I have it here on my blog.

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Female (above) and male (below) goldfinches at a feeder Sunday morning. Goldfinches have more yellow as the season goes on. I hope that is the reason for the male's "bald spots". I hope he isn't a sick bird. Also seen: Baltimore Oriole and Pileated Woodpecker: both in flight, so no photos.

Below: a large clump of Red Clover, Vermont's state flower. This is not a good photo but it is the best photo of red clover that I have taken so far. Seen near Mead's Falls.

And finally, two shots of a spider web on a clothesline. This spider (unseen) makes a coarser web than the one I shot on my cedar post that is on my blog header. Unfortunately, if you browse with Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can't see my header on the blog.

It was a short weekend. I was too tired to leave Barton on Friday, so I was a day late. I watched the Johnny Cash movie, cooked, did my photography and picked and cleaned strawberries. I actually got some reading done.

Wingnut is coming next weekend! Next weekend is a big one: movies at the library, the annual village-wide yard sale, and Bread and Puppet opens for the season. There will be lots of photos coming up.

This week? I have two days of inservice with the publishers of the Growing With Math text that the school has adopted for the upcoming year (NCTM, NSF, and NAEYC "approved"). Wednesday I have to pack up my classroom (unless the classroom elves have done it!). Thursday and Friday I clean house before the "summer invasion."

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Mead's Falls, Rutland

I made a short expedition to Mead's Falls, Rt. 4 on Otter Creek, today.

MEAD'S FALLS
James Mead, Rutland's first settler, arrived at these falls on the Otter Creek in 1769. The next year he and his family were given shelter by members of the Caughnawaga tribe while they finished their log cabin. Mead built saw and grist mills on the falls and ran a ferry on the Otter Creek. He was an ardent defender of the New Hampshire Grants and served as a colonel in the militia. Mead's Falls wa an important military site: the 1759 Crown Point Military Road ran by here, General Arthur St. Clair wrote his report after the Battle of Hubardton in 1777 at Mead's home on the West Proctor Road, and Forst Ranger was built in 1778 on the bluff northeast of the falls.

Vermont Division for Historic Preservation — 1999

I was dismayed by all of the trash around this historical site. There were tires and debris in Otter Creek, the electrical substation was discharging dirty water, and there was a general malaise about the beautiful area. But we had a wonderful time.

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Beautiful Flowers

I can't find these beautiful blooms in my Vermont wildflower book. They are on a bushy shrub-like plant. Hopefully somebody will help me identify it. Click on the window. The large versions of the photos are even more beautiful.

Despite learning a bit about histograms and using more of the features on my camera, I am finding it very difficult to photograph white and yellow flowers unless it is a very cloudy day.

These photos were taken Thursday evening about 6 PM on the River Road in the Coventry Marshes.

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Two More Wildflowers

~~Horned Bladderwort~~

Yellow Flag

Ragged Robin

River Road, Coventry Marshes

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Brown Moth

Eutrapela clemataria - Curve-toothed Geometer

This moth was on the screen of my front porch at 6 AM Saturday morning. It looks like a dead leaf wearing chrome shades. I was not able to get its face because of its position.

Eutrapela clemataria - Curve-toothed Geometer

The moth was identified by J.D. Roberts at bugguide.net.

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Mendon, Vermont

Rt. 4 east of Killington

John Vincent
Near this location lived "Captain John" Vincent, a member of the Caughnawaga tribe. An admirer of General George Washington, Captain John became a firm friend of the Colonies. He accompanied Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery to guide American troops from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Quebec for the siege on Quebec in 1776. He fought with General Gates at the Battle of Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered his British forces. After the Revolutionary War he settled in Mendon. Captain John died on July 3, 1810, at the home of Johnson Richardson, site of the first public house in Mendon, Vermont.

Vermont Division for Hstoric Preservation — 2003

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Photo Hunters: Hair

These tiny wild strawberries grow all over my property. See the hairy stalks (stems)? If you click on the photo you can see it large in a new window. This is the first season that I have ever seen berries on the plants. Usually the birds and woodchucks eat them all up before I see them. I wish they would save me enough for a big bunch on a big scoop of Ben & Jerry's vanilla! This berry plant was near one of my front doors, an area where the wildlife doesn't like to visit too often. No, I did not pick them. I left them for those that live outside.

School is now over so the rush and stress of the end-days is over (but I am very exhausted from it). So I am now back to the Photo Hunt. I have to say, though, that visiting a couple of hundred participants every weekend did overwhelm me. How does everybody decide who to visit and not visit? I simply can't go through the whole blog roll every weekend anymore (next winter maybe, when I am again snowed in, but not in good weather). Thank you for the help!

Thank you, also, for visiting. Have a wonderful summery weekend!

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Half Way To The North Pole

Sign on I-91 North, up the road in Derby Line, which is a bit north of me.

My latitude is 44° 45' 46.5" North. That is only 14 min 13.5 sec south of the 45th parallel. One minute is (very roughly) one mile, so I am about 15 miles south of halfway to the North Pole. I will have more details about my location when I get my hands on a friend's GPS toy. Neat stuff.

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Dig a Hole in Barton

If I were to dig a hole from Barton to China (which Amy's dogs have attempted to do), I wouldn't end up in China. As you can see from the red dot on the right hand image, I would end up between Australia and Antarctica in the ~~Pacific~~ Indian Ocean. There is no spot in the U.S. where you could dig your way to China. Good tool for students (and me!). Play with it at If The Earth Were A Sandwich.

Update: Thank you, Andrew, for correcting my geography.
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Thursday, June 14, 2007

How To Use the Histogram in iPhoto

Macworld: Secrets: iPhoto 5’s secret weapon

Ever wonder what that histogram thing was on your camera view finder and in your software? You can use it to take better photos and to edit your photos better. This article tells you what it's all about.

I had to post this before the Sunday Links because it was too important.

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Welcome to Vermont

I-91 south, a few yards south of Canadian border in Derby Line

I would prefer to have been able to get a straight-on shot but they placed this sign at a very inconvenient spot. Eventually I will get the right shot. This will have to do for now. It is satisfying my compulsion for signs.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Mosquito Hawk

Please click on the photo to view it full size in a new window. I used iPhoto with abandon.

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Another Student Is Gone

Monday June 4, 2007

Local Man Drowns In Moore Reservoir
BY AMY ASH NIXON, Staff Writer  
WATERFORD, VT - WATERFORD -- A 23-year-old Waterford man died in a watercraft accident Saturday evening.  

A search for Joshua Connelly ended late Sunday afternoon when his body was found in about 15 feet of water. Police said he had not been wearing a personal flotation device.  

State police said Connelly was riding a personal watercraft with a friend at Moore's Dam Reservoir between 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday.  

The pair had been riding a Jet Ski on the reservoir when a thunderstorm broke out over the region, and according to the report heard over the police scanner Saturday evening, they abandoned the craft fearing it would be struck by lightning.

Connelly's companion, whom police did not name, made it to shore and was rescued Saturday night. He told police the Jet Ski began having mechanical problems, and Connelly jumped into the water to swim to shore, which was about 75-yards away.  

The friend told police that when he got to shore, he looked back and saw Connelly flailing his arms.  

Police said the friend pulled the Jet Ski to shore and heard Connelly calling for help. He tried to help, but was unable to do so.  

New Hampshire and Vermont authorities responded, but could not find Connelly Saturday evening.  

A command center consisting of state police, members of Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the state police scuba team, the Fish and Wildlife Department and VSP auxiliary personnel, was set up at the shores of the normally tranquil Moore Reservoir, and Connelly's family kept vigil at the water's edge.  

His mother, Barbara, waited on the banks of the water with good friends, and other family was at the scene through out the day, state police said.  

CALEX Ambulance stood guard, and a huge state police command center vehicle was stationed at the scene.  

Several police officers were out on the dock where people usually jump off for fun, and nearby, people had set up a weekend party and were out enjoying the afternoon, as the tragic event played out.  

Connelly was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington. Police said the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Audrie Wright, who owns a home just up the road from where the tragedy occurred, was outside at her picnic table Sunday early evening, a glass bottle filled with lilacs.  

"I'm worried about everyone," she said, looking very sad about the stream of police and emergency vehicles that had been going past her property for nearly 24 hours by then. "It's very sad."

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Wednesday June 6, 2007
www.caledonianrecord.com

Joshua Connelly, 23

- Joshua Roland Connelly, 23, died in Waterford Saturday evening, June 2, 2007.

Born on May 7, 1984, he is survived by his mother, Barbara Connelly, his brother, Paul, and sister, Crystal, of Waterford (PO Box 18, Lower Waterford VT 05848); and his grandparents, Peg and Doc Tirrell of Waterford.

He is predeceased by his father, Jim.

Josh attended St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated from Littleton High School in 2003.

In high school he was an accomplished sprinter and was a Vermont state champion two years in a row.

A Life Scout, Josh enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. Josh was very loyal to his friends and was often the peacemaker when arguments arose.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, June 17, at 2 p.m., at the North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either Green Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 557, Waterbury, VT 05676 or to North Congregational Church, 1325 Main St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family privately on-line at www.saylesfh.com.

Sayles Funeral home of St. Johnsbury is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Caledonian-Record is a daily newspaper serving Northern Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. Visit our website updated daily at www.caledonianrecord.com

Note from the WebMaster: We request that you maintain proper credit to the Caledonian-Record Online News and to the author of the article. If you post this news article on your website we also request that you include a link to our website, which can be accomplished by using the following code:
The Caledonian-Record Online News

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Zorro Wants In

I set my camera out on the front stoop on Monday morning in order to capture the sound of frogs that sound as if they are clapping wooden sticks together. The noise they make gets rather irritating at times. But I love the sounds of the birds and frogs and wanted to save it forever. When I watched the video I saw that Zorro had walked by the camera. He came to the front door (at 1:19) and looked up at the window to see if I was there to let him in. He then must have sat on the steps waiting for me until he gave up and returned to the woods in the back of the house (at 4:40).

I can hear the snipes and redwing blackbirds on the video. Surprisingly, the "wooden stick" frogs are more difficult to hear. But they are there as a constant background drumming. Birders will be able to identify other birds. Last spring on a field trip to the Montshire Museum I did identify the frogs. I have now forgotten what they are.

This movie may be boring to others but to me it epitomizes the peace of my home.

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Delayed Mail

4-24-96
Shortly after you left a blue bird pair flew into the garden. This forced me to put up 5 more bird houses. Hopefully blue birds will take over one before swallows move in. I throw out bird food for the turkey that will stay around until her prince charming comes to lure her away.

I just received a letter today from my father, from which I quote one paragraph above. He died two years ago. How strange to hear his voice from eleven years past, six years before I moved to Vermont. He lived fifteen miles north of where I live in Barton. I live these rhythms of the birds myself now. Late April seems early for blue birds to me now, as used as I am to late April snow storms. But the birds frequently return before the snow is over. I never thought I would capture a swallow in my camera, but I did so just this past weekend. This is a bittersweet day.

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Monday, June 11, 2007

Cats Tuesdays: lolfeeds

(As if you hadn't noticed) I enjoy my lolcats. Today I'm going to show you the next crazy thing to waste your time with lolcats: lolfeeds by Ian McKellar. The above photo is a feed to my lolcode post on my lolfeed for my blog (yes, you can now write actual code in lolcode and it will compile!).

It took me a bit of pondering to figure this feed thing out, so follow closely if you are interested.

You know how you can subscribe to RSS or Atom feeds for sites? You click the little RSS symbol in your browser or a link on the page. You then can read updates to the blog or news page in your feed reader or browser. The feeds are exactly what the owner wants them to look like: either full feeds or just little teasers so that you go to the site to read the whole thing.

For instance, when I go to apple.com, I see the RSS icon in the address bar, click it and then I subscribe to the feed in Google Reader. Whenever I go to Reader, I can see what Apple has done that is new.

But if, instead, I click a bookmarklet called lolfeeds from Mr. McKellar (who apparantly just got married today!), I get this. Every RSS news item is redirected to McKellar's magic site and a new lolcat is created for each headline. You can even click on the headline in the lolcat to go to the original story! Here is today's feed for my blog meeyauw.

Have fun! Go to lolfeeds and drag the link "lolfeeds" to your browser bookmark bar. Go to your own blog page and click the lolfeeds bookmarklet that you just created!

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