Some Humor at a Jam Session

At a recent jam, the musicians were talking about being not so "on" today. This is the ensuing short exchange:
"I'm a 100 watt human."
"I'm 125-150."
"25 watt."
"Neon light."
"LED today."

Yea! Brown Mountain Lights Under Study

The Brown Mountain Lights sighted in North Carolina's Linville Gorge are prompting investigation. They may be "ball lighting," according to astronomy professor Daniel Caton in "Mystery of the Orbs," a report by Associated Press's Tom Breen (Kansas City Star February 27, 2012, A2). Similar lights have been observed for years in southeast Missouri, in the Crowley Ridge area around Dexter and Bloomfield, but seen primarily in the lower land cleared of cypress in the early 1900s. People living there were called "swamp angels." The lights were called marsh gas, and were very common. They followed varying paths. My mother recalls one of them entering the open back window of a car one evening, traveling with her and the driver for a while, then floating on out the other window. No conversation. I would like to see one now, up close, but I don't want to go looking all alone. I am so appreciative of the renewed interest and budding research.

Good Morning America No Scam

Yesterday I posted a complaint about a phone interview marketing ploy ostensibly conducted by Good Morning America. Shortly later I learned that though the name "Good Morning America" was associated with the call, the actual name of the organization may have been only similar--"Good Morning in America," or "Today, America." My apologies for acting too quickly. Dangerous practice. If it turns out that GMA is was the actual caller, then up goes the post again.

Steven Tyler's National Anthem Was Fine

I thought Tyler was great. What he did far surpassed what he didn't do. He sang the National Anthem his way, reached the high notes his way, wasn't derogatory in any mannerism or tone. He was Steven Tyler singing the National Anthem. He made one error--said "as" instead of "the" in one spot. Tiny, tiny mistake. God Bless Him.

Groundhogs Can Climb

Until about five years ago, I believed groundhogs were truly ground animals. They tunneled (or burrowed) under houses, creating great animosity in some of my neighbors, who called the animal shelter gentleman and had the nuisances caught in a live trap and transported to another property. Sometimes the animal control gent couldn't catch them. One afternoon I watched a mother and two pups climb a mulberry tree to the east of my house. They did so easily. They stayed up there for quite awhile and then came down easily. I think they ate berries, though I didn't see that. Now I live where I have no groundhogs, just teasing squirrels and quarreling, singing, and busy, busy birds, and a snake and few toads in warm weather. It's a nice neighborhood but not quite as mixed.

Photo of a Ghost?

I took this photo a few years ago, and asked a friend to explain what showed up. He said the ghostly image was simply the camera's flash against moisture in the air. The original photo was rotated 50 degrees to the left, so the creature (?) was horizontal. Either way, it looks like something other than light on moisture to me.

Grateful for Steve Job's "Oh Wow!"

I admired Steve Jobs, and am very grateful for his last words. I hope the report of them is accurate:"Oh Wow! Oh Wow. Oh Wow." That's what I want the passing to be for each of us. His words are both comforting and exciting.