Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Flooding of the Kalahari Desert

Map Of Botswana : botswana territory with flag on map of globe Stock Photo
Map showing Botswana in blue, courtesy 123rf.com

Every year from June through August the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, South Africa is flooded with water.  Prior to June, the rain in the Angola highlands causes the Okavango River to flood.  Since this river has no outlet to the sea, the overflow rushes down to the desert land and stalls, saturating more than 4,000 square miles (10,359 square kilometers) of the desert floor.  Then the rains stop, and the desert sun dries up the flooded desert again.  During those three months, that area of the desert becomes a lush green, and animals come from miles around to drink and eat and breed.  For more information click here and click here.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Deserts

Desert : Sandy desert at sunrise time. Vietnam. Mui ne
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Deserts are found on every continent.  Not all deserts are hot.  Deserts cover 1/3 of the land on Earth.  Africa's Sahara Desert is the largest of all.  For more information click here.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Largest City in the World

Tokyo : Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan.
Photo of Tokyo Tower courtesy 123rf.com

The largest city in the world by population is Tokyo, Japan.  Click here for the list of largest cities in the world.

New York City is my favorite of all the largest cities.  London, Aukland, Paris, and Hong Kong are next on my list.  What are your favorites of the largest cities in the world?  (You can leave comments below.)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

70,000 Spiders!

Spider : A vector image of a spider weaving a web
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

There are 70,000 types of spiders in the world.  Spiders are venomous, not poisonousClick here to view a really great spider website.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Ancient Bug Repellent

Quince : Close up of the blooming red quince
Flowering Quince Photo courtesy 123rf.com

The earliest bug repellent bedding was possibly the river-wild quince.  For more information click here.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Jethro Tull, Thick Bricks, and Seed Drills...

Drill And Brick : A man drilling a hole in the brick wall. Stock Photo
(Note:  This is not a seed drill.)
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Earlier today I was talking with a farmer about the inventors of farming tools, when he mentioned that the seed drill was invented by Jethro Tull.  I responded "Jethro Tull?!  The rock group invented the seed drill?!"  The he explained to me that Jethro Tull (1674-1741) was an English agriculturist.  Then he explained that one of the English rock group's booking agents was a history buff, and he's the one who named the rock group after the agriculturist.

One of my favorite rock albums is Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull, the rock group.  What's one of your favorite rock albums?  (You can leave comments below.)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The First Winter Olympics

Winter Olympics : LAOS - CIRCA 1987: stamp printed by Laos, shows biathlon, circa 1987. Stock Photo
1987 stamp from Laos depicting the biathlon
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

On this day in 1924, the first Winter Olympics began in Chamonix, France, which is in the French Alps.  The closing date was February 5.  The events were biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating.  For more information, videos, and photos from the 1924 games, click here.

My favorite winter sport to participate in is cross country skiing.  What is yours?  (You can leave comments below.)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Chinese Year 4710

New Moon : Moon phases: New, First quarter, Full, Third quarter Stock Photo
Moon phases:  New, First Quarter, Full, Third Quarter
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

We are now in day two of Chinese year 4710.  The Chinese use a lunar calendar (although in business they usually use the Gregorian calendar like most of the rest of the world), and the first of every month is the darkest night of the month, or the night with the new moon.  For more information click here and click here.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Year of the Water Dragon

Chinese Water Dragon : Blue and golden dragon with number 2012 on gray background. Stock Photo
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, which is based on the lunar calendar.  The celebration lasts for 15 days.  This is the year of the water dragon, and so is supposed to be the most prosperous and lucky of years in the Chinese zodiac calendar.  For more information click here and click here.

I was born in a year of the water dragon.  What animal in the Chinese zodiac were you born under?  If you don't know, click here.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Worm A Day...

Worm In Garden : Close-up of earthworm on white
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

A newly discovered carnivorous plant in Brazil has underground leaves that eat worms!  For more information click here and click here.

I think worms are interesting, and have no problem bating a fish hook with them.  Do you think worms are interesting or creepy?  (You can leave comments below.)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Sun and Stains and Smells...oh yes, and Clothes!

Clothes Drying On A Line : Colorful clothes hanging to dry on a laundry line and sun shining in the blue sky.
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Scientists in China have developed a combination of chemicals to apply to cotton cloth.  When this specially-treated cloth acquires stains and smells, a few hours of sitting in the sun removes the stains and smells.  They are calling clothes made out of this cloth "self-cleaning clothes".  For more information click here and click here.

I would definitely buy clothing made from this cloth.  Would you?  (You may leave comments below.)

Friday, January 20, 2012

Comparing the U.S. Constitution

U S  Constitution : US Constitution on Parchment paper on isolated white
Photo of the U.S. Constitution courtesy 123rf.com

The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words.  It is the oldest and the shortest written constitution of any government in the world.  For more information click here.

Pages one and four of the constitution is displayed in a bullet-proof case in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.  I saw it once, and it was awe inspiring to see something so profound that was written so long ago.  If you have been there to see it, what did you think about it?  If you haven't seen it, do you plan to go?  (You may leave comments below.)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

WHO Helped Fund the American Revolution ?!?!

Pierre Beaumarchais, oil painting by Jean-Marc Nattier.
[Credit: Giraudon/Art Resource, New York]
Photo of oil painting of French author Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732-1799) by French artist Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766) courtesy Giraudon/Art Resource, New York, via EncyclopediaBritannica.com

I like Mozart's (1756-1791) operas, and think Beaumarchais's plays (from which the libretti for some of Mozart's operas are taken) are fabulous.  What I didn't know is that Beaumarchais "coordinated the initially secret French program to supply the nascent U.S. of A. with money and arms early in the Revolutionary War".  For more information click here.

What operas do you like?  (You may leave comments below.)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

How to Live

Happy Stick Drawing : A little stick figure holding an actual pencil drawn on a paper. Stock Photo
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Here is a link to an excellent article titled How to Be More Interesting (in 10 Simple Steps).  It could just as easily have the title How to Enjoy Living or How to be a Happy Person.

What is your advice for living a happy life?  (You may leave comments below.)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Do you use Yarn or Plarn or Harn?

Yarn : Background of colorful wool skeins
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

There is an easy way for anyone to turn plastic bags and hose into yarn, which you can use for anything you would normally use yarn!  For more information click here.

I used to knit, although not very well; now I only needlepoint.  I'm thinking about trying to make harn  for a needlepoint rug in navy and beige, because those are primarily the colors of hose I wear.  What is your favorite hobby?  (You may leave comments below.)

Monday, January 16, 2012

6,000 Reptiles!

Gecko : Green gecko on the roof (Zurich zoo) Stock Photo
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

There are 6000 species of reptiles, and more are discovered every year!  For more information click here.

My favorite reptiles are the common little green garden lizards.  What's your favorite reptile?  (You can leave comments below.)

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Elephant Tusks and Tushes

African Elephant : African elephant cow (Loxodonta africana) and her calf at a waterhole, South Africa
African female elephant (cow and calf)
Indian Elephant : Asian elephant female telling secret isolated on white background
Asian female elephant (cow)

Photos courtesy 123rf.com

African male and female elephants have tusks, but only the male Asian elephant has tusks.  The Asian female elephant has tushes, which is an incisor-tooth that sticks out from the lips.  For more information click here.

I've ridden an Asian elephant, but I've only seen African elephants in zoos.  Have you seen or ridden an elephant?

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Fastest-Flying Bird in the World

Spine Tailed Swift : Common Swift and cloud
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

The Spine-Tailed Swift of Australia, also known as the White-Throated Needletail, has been clocked flying 171 mph, which is the fastest of any other bird in the world.  For more information about the world's fastest birds click here.

I've never seen a Spine-Tailed Swift, have you?  If so, when and where?

Friday, January 13, 2012

Language, Language...

Language : Illustration of Thank you in many languages
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

There are 2,700 languages spoken on Earth.  There are 7,000 dialects.  1,000 of the world's languages are spoken in Africa.  For more information click here.

I am studying Mandarin Chinese in the anticipation of possibly visiting China in August 2013.  I thought that the sounds of Chinese words would have no relationship to the sounds of the same words in other languages, but I am discovering that this is not true.  I also like discovering palindromes in different languages.  What interesting discovery have you made while studying a language different from your native language?

Thursday, January 12, 2012

First X-ray in the United States


Photo courtesy Davidson College

On this day in 1896, the first x-ray was taken in the United States at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina.  The x-ray was of a human hand with a bullet in it.  Click here for more information.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Horned Toad is not a Toad!


Photo courtesy HornedLizards.org

The horned toad or horny toad is actually not a toad but a horned lizard.  One thing they do to get rid of predators is to squirt blood from the corners of their eyes into the eyes and mouth of the predator.  For more information click here.

I've never seen a horned lizard, have you?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

First Passenger Underground Railway


Photo of London Metropolitan construction courtesy London Transport Museum

On this day in 1863, the world's first passenger underground railway opened in London, called the London MetropolitanClick here to see pictures and photos, and for more historical information.

I've been on many underground railways around the world.  The ones I probably like the best are the NYC subways, San Francisco's BART, and the Paris Metro.  To me, by far the prettiest is the Paris Metro.  What is your favorite subway system?

Monday, January 9, 2012

Crocodile Tongues

Crocodile : Salt water crocodile
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Crocodile's tongues are attached to the tops of their mouths, and are unmovable.  For more information click here.

I've only seen crocodiles in zoos.  Have you seen a crocodile, and if so where do you see it?

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Lewis and Clark, and the Whale Skeleton

Whale Skeleton : Whale skeleton in Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura Spain Stock Photo
Photo of whale skeleton courtesy 123rf.com

On this day in 1806, Lewis and Clark discovered a skeleton of a 105 feet long blue whale that had washed up from the Pacific Ocean onto the banks of Ecola Creek in what is modern-day Cannon Beach, Oregon.  They discovered the Tillamook Indians nearby boiling the blubber, and purchased some blubber from them.  Clark named this creek Ecola Creek or E co-la, which means Whale Creek.  (All the links in this paragraph are relevant to the expedition.)  For more information, click here, and click here, and click here.

Meriwether Lewis is a very, very distant relative of mine, so I probably have a little greater than average interest in the expedition.  What events in history most interest you and why?

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Giraffes Clean Their Ears By....

Giraffe Tongue : Giraffe eating green leaves on the tree in Kiev zoo, Ukraine
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Giraffes clean their ears with their tongues, which average almost 20 inches (50 cm).  For more information click here and click here

I've only seen giraffes in zoos.  Where have you seen giraffes?

Friday, January 6, 2012

Toulouse-Lautrec's Drink: The Earthquake!

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - A corner in a dance hall
Photo of "A Corner in a Dance Hall" painting by Toulouse-Lautrec courtesy AllPaintings.org

One of my favorite artists is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901).  I especially like his crowd scenes.  Whenever I visit the Art Institute of Chicago, the first thing I always do is go to the Impressionists/Post-Impressionists section to see At the Moulin Rouge.  What I didn't know is that Toulouse-Lautrec is credited with creating a drink that became very popular at the time, called Tremblement de Terre or Earthquake, which is half absinthe & half cognac.  In the early 19th century absinthe was believed to cure digestive disorders, and so some thought the drink he created was almost wholesome!  In time, however, some brewers began using lethal solvents in the production of absinthe, which led to the eventual outlawing of absinthe in most of Europe and the United States.

Who is your favorite artist?

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Grasshopper Songs

Grasshopper And Violin : Illustration of a Grasshopper Playing the Violin Stock Photo
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

To you and me all grasshoppers may sound alike, but each grasshopper species has it's own individual song.  Grasshoppers only mate within their own species, and they identify the different species by their song.  For more information click here and click here.

My favorite insect is the beautiful butterfly.  What is your favorite insect?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Science, Latin, and Technology 2012

access
Photo of Solanum sanchez-vegae, first plant to be documented in new system, courtesy sciencenews.org

As of this year, scientists may write new discoveries of plant, algae, and fungus species online in English.  Prior to January 1, 2012 all scientific discoveries had to be published in papers, and descriptions written in Latin.  Now only the names must be in Latin.  Since only about half of all plants and a tiny amount of all fungus and algae having been classified, scientists hope these changes will speed up the classifying of all this planet's species.  For more information click here.

My favorite plant is Gardenia augusta, also known as Gardenia jasminoides, the common gardenia shrub.  Gardenia is my favorite scent, and the shrub is beautiful all year (evergreen) even when it isn't flowering.  What is your favorite plant and why?

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Leonardo da Vinci's First Flying Machine

Flying machine – Ms B Fol 74v-75r
Photo of reconstruction of one of Leonardo da Vinci's flying devices courtesy www.leonardo3.net

On this day in 1496 Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made his first attempt to launch a flying machine.  It was not successful, so he worked on the invention for several more years before he attempted another launch.  His first flying devices were based on the structure of birds' wings and bats' wings.  He also developed an idea for a helicopter-type device.  Click here to view reconstructions of several of his ideas for flying devices.

Leonardo da Vinci is one of history's most interesting persons for me.  I've read several biographies, and enjoy his paintings.  Who is one of your favorite historical persons and why?

Monday, January 2, 2012

The First Photograph of the Moon


The earliest extant photograph of the moon:  Draper, John W., “First Astronomical Photograph - Draper's Moon Daguerreotype,” Greenwich Village History, accessed January 6, 2012, http://aphdigital.org/GVH/items/show/119.

On this day in 1839, French photographer Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (17891851) took the first photograph of the moon.  This photograph was burned in the March 8, 1839 fire that destroyed Daguerre's laboratory.  The photograph was actually a daguerreotype, an early method of photography named after Louis Daguerre.  During this photographic process a silver-coated copper plate is treated with iodine vapor.  Prior to this invention, pictures of the moon for texts and articles had to be drawn by hand.

My favorite moon photos are those with astronauts walking around, because they make me imagine what that might feel like.  What are your favorite moon photos?

Sunday, January 1, 2012

History of New Year's Good Luck Traditions

Dutch Donuts : An Oliebol is typical Dutch and is only baked during te days between Christmas and New Year
Photo of Dutch oliebol, which is only baked during the days between Christmas and New Year.
Photo courtesy 123rf.com

An old New Year's belief is that how you spend the first day of the new year will influence the rest of the year.  So, people will do things that they believe will give them good luck such as eating certain foods, and will spend the day with people whom they wish to be with during the coming year.

For some cultures, using something in the form of a ring on New Year's Day symbolizes completing the year uninterrupted by misfortune.  This is why the Dutch believe that eating doughnuts on New Year's Day will bring good luck all year.  For more information click here.

What New Year's traditions do you and your family observe?