October 15, 2011: All my life I've wakened every morning excited about what I'll experience & learn that day. I usually start the day by looking up a new-to-me fact, but definitely when I need a mental break from paperwork or practicing I briefly go looking for something new to learn. My blog is about anything I learn on any subject. I hope you will enjoy exploring this path with me.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Flooding of the Kalahari Desert
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
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
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!
Photo courtesy 123rf.com
There are 70,000 types of spiders in the world. Spiders are venomous, not poisonous. Click here to view a really great spider website.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Ancient Bug Repellent
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...
(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
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
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
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...
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!
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
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 ?!?!
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
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?
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!
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 female elephant (cow and calf)
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
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...
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 Metropolitan. Click 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
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
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....
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!
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
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
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
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 (1789–1851) 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
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?
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