A Weekend with Familiar Strangers: My 50th High School Class Reunion
Nothing focuses one’s attention on getting older quite like attending your 50th high school class reunion. I attended mine last month. For those of us over forty, we know that the physical effects of aging are gradual but persistent. For many of us, our waistlines expand, we lose our hair, and invariably we are greeted by more, not fewer, wrinkles each morning when we first … Continue reading A Weekend with Familiar Strangers: My 50th High School Class Reunion
Mysteries of a Lesser Kind
Many great mysteries in the world continue to capture the attention of scientists, philosophers, and other learned people. For example, technicians at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, are upgrading the Large Hadron Collider to produce even greater sub-atomic particle collisions. Not content with the mere discovery of the Higgs boson, nuclear physicists now hope to explain it. Likewise, cosmologists continue to … Continue reading Mysteries of a Lesser Kind
Up Close with a Few Small Things
A little macro photography is always fun. Here are several photos of some small critters. There is one shot of Queen Anne’s Lace (without insect) that I have left at full resolution. You might like to blow it up to 100% to see its delicate details. These snapshots were taken in Janesville and Madison, Wisconsin. A Few Small Things Continue reading Up Close with a Few Small Things
Two Types of People ?
Every time I see earth moving equipment, I am reminded of Bertrand Russell’s definition of work. In his essay, “In Praise of Idleness,” he writes Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth’s surface relatively to other such matter; second, telling other people to do so. The first kind is unpleasant and ill paid; the second is … Continue reading Two Types of People ?
Should You Buy a Hybrid Car?
For me, the decision to buy a hybrid car or not depends on two key issues. First, will the savings generated through better gas mileage offset the higher price of the hybrid car? And second, is the hybrid car better for the environment than a non-hybrid car? When I last needed a new car, I decided to buy a Toyota Camry hybrid. Before making the … Continue reading Should You Buy a Hybrid Car?
A Gallery of Flowers from Oaxaca / Una galería de flores de Oaxaca
I was in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico for a couple weeks in May. Here are a few snapshots of flowers that I took while there. I have tried to identify the flowers, but had no luck with two of them. Any help or corrections with the identifications is much appreciated. I hope you like them. Estuve en la ciudad de Oaxaca, México por dos … Continue reading A Gallery of Flowers from Oaxaca / Una galería de flores de Oaxaca
Sesquicentennial Oak Tree Felled for Highway Expansion
If you are like me, you worry about politicians who don’t share your values. But often it’s the bureaucrat, unknown and out of the public eye, who makes the most frustrating decisions. Recently it was discovered by local environmentalists and nature preservationists that a large bur oak would be cut down to make way for an expansion of Wisconsin State Highway 26 between Milton and … Continue reading Sesquicentennial Oak Tree Felled for Highway Expansion
“Where are all the people?” — On The Use of Public Space
Several years ago I was driving in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin with a young friend who was newly arrived from China. It was her first time to the United States and she had been in the country for about a week. As we drove past a city park, which was empty, she turned to me and asked, “Professor Cottle, where are all the people? I don’t … Continue reading “Where are all the people?” — On The Use of Public Space
Sandhill Cranes with Chicks Out for a Walk
It has been almost three weeks since I last visited the sandhill crane nest featured in my previous post. Yesterday I visited them and found the parents and two new chicks out for a walk. (You may click on the photos for larger sizes. Apart from being larger, they are sharper.) I watched as they foraged for insects and whatever else they might find to … Continue reading Sandhill Cranes with Chicks Out for a Walk
Sandhill Cranes Tending Their Nest
These photos were taken near sunset on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 on Jefferson County Route N between Fort Atkinson and Jefferson, Wisconsin. If you are in the neighborhood, you can spot the nest on the east side of the road. There isn’t much shoulder, so be careful if you want to take photos. You will need a long lens. The effective focal length for each … Continue reading Sandhill Cranes Tending Their Nest
Phoebe’s Story / La historia de Phoebe
Update: Phoebe passed away on May 19, 2013. She was a sweet, affectionate, and beautiful cat. She will be missed. * * * Phoebe’s Story Phoebe left home in May 2003. She was five years old. I don’t know why she left. She had a good life with lots of care and attention. I looked everywhere for her. I cruised the neighborhood every day calling … Continue reading Phoebe’s Story / La historia de Phoebe
Fruitcake Is Never Out of Season – Especially the Kind with Nuts
Conversation overheard last night at the Home Town Buffet in Janesville, Wisconsin. You know that guy, Adam Lanza – the one who they said killed all those children in Newtown. Well, I think he was set-up. I think the government did it. You know governments kill more people than anyone. And now the government wants to take away our second amendment freedoms. Isn’t it refreshing … Continue reading Fruitcake Is Never Out of Season – Especially the Kind with Nuts
Snapshots 