tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54034572293067743192024-03-13T11:57:41.689-04:00MacBeth's OpinionEverything was fine until we hit the elk...MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.comBlogger593125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-58069636250627802142015-01-21T11:18:00.000-05:002015-01-21T11:18:26.640-05:00Maud in the ClassroomWe finished and complemented our <i>Jane Eyre </i>study with a brief look at the poem "Maud Muller," comparing and contrasting the setting, scene and themes. Those who read this blog from time to time may know that I have a personal connection to <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2011/07/maud-muller-portrait-of-my-great-great.html" target="_blank">Maud</a>; I have long looked forward to introducing the poem to a great class. Yesterday was the day. It was a simple lesson, which the students enjoyed, and it gave me insight into some ways my students learn.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kML4ZGagTk4/U2_UIqoCG6I/AAAAAAAAhNw/BIO9e8yIYT4/s1600/2014-05-11" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kML4ZGagTk4/U2_UIqoCG6I/AAAAAAAAhNw/BIO9e8yIYT4/s1600/2014-05-11" height="150" width="200" /></a>Basically the lesson was a close reading of "Maud Muller." I began by reading the entire poem aloud (they were to read it at home before class) and initiated a discussion of the story arc and themes of the poem, compared it to the story and themes of <i>Jane Eyre</i> in literary and historical context, and finished with a discussion of literary techniques and poetical form. The rhymed couplets and even rhythm in Maud are perfect for quick classroom study, and a fine form to study before <i>Hamlet</i>, our next read.<br />
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When we completed all that, I asked, "Is it easy or difficult to write in rhymed couplets?"<br />
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"Easy," said He-Who-Always-Answers-First.<br />
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How easily the young fall into that old trap! This was the perfect set-up for a poetry-writing lesson. He quickly recanted, but it was too late. Ha!<br />
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Each student was asked to write 3 pairs of rhyming couplets on <i>Jane Eyre</i>. This "easy" lesson was, in fact, easy for some, but quite difficult for others. I found that the students who struggle with clear prose write beautiful poetry, and the student with the best prose barely eked out the 6 lines. The Well-Coiffed-One stunned me with rhymed, unexpected, polysyllabic words which worked wonderfully. The students' work, read aloud, lead to a refresher lesson on assonance. There were quite a few assy-thingummys* in the work of the Usual Suspect, which made us wonder about the ease of rhyme...or not.<br />
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As in any class, talents vary. Discovering those talents is the first step in providing students with an opportunity to use and enhance them, and provides me with another means to enhance my skills in the gentle art of assessment.<br />
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* cf. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064405028/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0064405028&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion&linkId=CBR5YYJUHTM5VGZZ" target="_blank"><i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i></a>, Edmund seems unfamiliar with assonance, calling it an "assy-thingummy."<br />
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MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-29238582822476586322015-01-14T10:47:00.000-05:002015-01-14T10:57:30.117-05:00Does Jane Err?Our class discussion of <a href="http://amzn.to/1yjrvFH" target="_blank">Jane Eyre</a> has been lively, but not as brutal to the heroine of the story as it was for poor Miss Manette in <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2014/10/cant-stop-dickensian-discussion.html" target="_blank">Tale of Two Cities</a>. Jane, the Usual Suspect points out, does many stupid things (including a faint or two!), but he does not dislike her.<br />
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We are using the excellent <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/lost-tools-writing" target="_blank">Lost Tools of Writing</a> along with our literature studies, which often requires that we consider the choices our characters make as an essay prompt. This is particularly effective, as there are always plenty of poor decisions made by the characters in any great novel. Jane Eyre is no exception, and, in fact, if you hear the students discuss it, she makes more mistakes than any character in the western canon. According to them, Jane does indeed err.</div>
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Part discussion, part exercise, finding flaw in a character's actions is entertaining fodder for discussion and argument. Students asked:</div>
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Should Jane have married Rochester? Should she have left Thornfield? Should she have walked far? Should she have knocked on a door and sought help (this particular moment of indecision nearly spoiled the novel for some students)? Should she have taken her jewels when she left? Should she have married St. John? </div>
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<a href="https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/bronte/charlotte/b869j/plates/p190b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/bronte/charlotte/b869j/plates/p190b.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
Fortunately for Jane, the questions were not limited to her character. Students considered the actions of Rochester as well, from his decision in youth to marry Bertha, to his hiring a governess for Adele, to his care and keeping of a mad wife, and finally to his proposal and near bigamous marriage to Jane. Certainly, Jane is not alone in her errors.</div>
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Other interesting points for discussion were atmosphere, spirituality, Jane's odd art (what's up with that, really?), beauty, ugliness, clothing, and more. A favorite scene, students said, is Rochester's impersonation of the Gypsy fortune teller, which, as several pointed out, could have been left out of the story. But, they realized through discussion, this scene provides the reader with the only real view of Jane from a perspective outside of herself. Was Rochester right to do this to Jane? If we consider that Bronte, through Rochester, does this for the sake of the reader, well, yes. And doesn't it give us some insight into Rochester's character, too? Is he just teasing her?</div>
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Like TTC, I suspect this is a novel which will stick with us through the rest of the year, prompting comparisons and inspiring deeper reading.</div>
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Between novels, we take a look at poetry. Next week, the students are reading Whittier's Maud Muller...</div>
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(image source: https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/bronte/charlotte/b869j/plates/p190b.jpg)</div>
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MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-1668006218105708192014-10-21T16:27:00.002-04:002014-10-21T16:41:28.893-04:00Yard Birds October 21st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday morning, my husband called to me from his home office asking if I ordered a "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RBGCHK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002RBGCHK&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion&linkId=X5XE5AFAG2ZDKRPF" target="_blank">shepherd's hook</a>" from Amazon. Of course I had. It's a tall metal pole for holding a bird feeder. </div>
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He just got a text that it had been delivered!</div>
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Huh...I thought I had ordered it through my own account (I had, in fact, but the Internet knows all), but how nice of them to let me know. I went to the front door in anticipation of setting it up in my yard right away, only to find no package at all had been delivered. <i>Not again</i>, I thought. We have the misfortune of living on a street with the same first two letters as the street parallel and a block north of us. Packages are frequently misdelivered.</div>
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Maybe it's due to the horrors of students who were taught to read using sight words instead of phonics. Or maybe it's just a momentary lapse on the part of the letter carrier. Or maybe she just doesn't care anymore. My package was not delivered to my home, nor to my northern neighbor. As evening approached, I searched the USPS customer service page, but it was no use. My package was declared "delivered" and I was out of luck.</div>
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As I was about to type a note of complaint, the doorbell rang, and there stood a man with a tall cardboard box. He lives 5 blocks away on a street with an altogether different set of letters making up the word, but the same house number. It was super-nice of him to do the gov't's job! </div>
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I set up the shepherd's hook just beyond the dog's reach and made an old planter saucer into a hanging dish-feeder. I filled it with wild bird seed. For some reason, wild bird seed comes with candied papayas. The ants love candied papayas, and climbed 5 feet up and one foot down the hook to enjoy the sweet treat. I look forward to woodpeckers eating the ants.</div>
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No feeder visitors came by last night. Not one.</div>
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This morning, ever hopeful, I poured my coffee and sat outside with my camera. There were birds everywhere, thanks to my neighbor's dying cherry tree. He took down a blue spruce in perfect shape, removing the breeding spot for several generations of crows. He took down a row of arborvitae I-know-not-why. He has threatened to take down a smaller tree behind the garage. But this leviathan cherry, with dead branches and hollow trunk, just waves violently in the lightest breeze waiting for the gust that tears the branches off, and for gravity to do her worst, right over my yard. But I can't really complain, since the tree provides constant shelter for my friends the birds.</div>
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Today, I saw a towhee in my yard (technically, in his tree which extends over my yard) for the first time! As you can see, I got a photo for ID, but it's not beautiful.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biOEB3OfaXQ/VEaQgzSYkRI/AAAAAAAAnWA/jOus4jrHpgQ/s1600/DSC_8178.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biOEB3OfaXQ/VEaQgzSYkRI/AAAAAAAAnWA/jOus4jrHpgQ/s1600/DSC_8178.NEF.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towhee.</td></tr>
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And a pair of unidentified birds played way up in the branches, refusing to turn for proper identification. Any guesses?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BwRYyhKM-8/VEaQgfIefcI/AAAAAAAAnV8/2v7_uG6bKU4/s1600/DSC_8198.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BwRYyhKM-8/VEaQgfIefcI/AAAAAAAAnV8/2v7_uG6bKU4/s1600/DSC_8198.NEF.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unidentified birds in classic Audubon pose.<br />
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A house finch stood out red against the blue sky. He was having a great day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZTHREwAc1c/VEaQiCyVn6I/AAAAAAAAnWM/lw5IPbozFEw/s1600/DSC_8203.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZTHREwAc1c/VEaQiCyVn6I/AAAAAAAAnWM/lw5IPbozFEw/s1600/DSC_8203.NEF.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House finch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He likes the high branches, where the wind whips his feathers.</td></tr>
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A medium sized hawk--possible red-shoulder from the looks and cry--swooped onto the branch, but my little friend spied him early and fled. A bit later the hawk swirled away, to the south. Sorry, no photo. He's one that got away.<br />
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But some other interesting birds were visiting. I looked at a bird in the hedge, and saw a pine siskin! It's the first I have seen in the yard. It had not come for the seeds I put out, but for the tiny conifer seeds in the hedge. I took a few photos. Imagine my surprise when I opened the photo in Picasa and saw that there were 6 birds in the photo! Can you see them all? Did I miss any?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many siskins.</td></tr>
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The birds are pretty well camouflaged, but Amigo, the cat next door, is not. His white fur shines brightly in the morning sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlMsO_Xw5cI/VEaQnjKgHHI/AAAAAAAAnWc/q9Z95o79C8g/s1600/DSC_8210.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlMsO_Xw5cI/VEaQnjKgHHI/AAAAAAAAnWc/q9Z95o79C8g/s1600/DSC_8210.NEF.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amigo.</td></tr>
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Whiskers, the cat next door on the other side, is a bit harder to see in the shadows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daz2tsXIzVU/VEaQqUmY0NI/AAAAAAAAnWs/Rk8r9-KWcqI/s1600/DSC_8211.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daz2tsXIzVU/VEaQqUmY0NI/AAAAAAAAnWs/Rk8r9-KWcqI/s1600/DSC_8211.NEF.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiskers.</td></tr>
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Both would like to nab a bird, but the birds are well guarded by Circe. Not that Circe has not nabbed a bird in her day, but she'd rather have cat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdd-xoLyP9o/VEaQuUypcdI/AAAAAAAAnXE/rC_3TZl_XAA/s1600/DSC_8245.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdd-xoLyP9o/VEaQuUypcdI/AAAAAAAAnXE/rC_3TZl_XAA/s1600/DSC_8245.NEF.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mmmm. Kitty-kitty," says Circe.</td></tr>
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Finally, a visitor landed on the new feeder. This song sparrow is brave and patient, and not afraid of Circe at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-la3MekAUz4c/VEaQqW4IxOI/AAAAAAAAnWw/TF9qo2idLsk/s1600/DSC_8231.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-la3MekAUz4c/VEaQqW4IxOI/AAAAAAAAnWw/TF9qo2idLsk/s1600/DSC_8231.NEF.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song sparrow.</td></tr>
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Still looking up in case the hawk came back, I saw a flock (well, three) of <i>something</i> go over. A closer look through binoculars showed them to be greater cormorants. That was nifty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofZKdKNFyPo/VEaQu0lDK7I/AAAAAAAAnXI/Hc3HUfDvm0Q/s1600/DSC_8237.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofZKdKNFyPo/VEaQu0lDK7I/AAAAAAAAnXI/Hc3HUfDvm0Q/s1600/DSC_8237.NEF.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorants.</td></tr>
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And though it was only 65 degrees out, a few honeybees were sucking the last of the autumn nectar. Despite the cold, they were faster than my camera, and I only got a good shot of a foot and wingtip as it explored the morning glory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ThhWsDsm81I/VEaQrtRqdcI/AAAAAAAAnW8/7M1XTwFd_yc/s1600/DSC_8240.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ThhWsDsm81I/VEaQrtRqdcI/AAAAAAAAnW8/7M1XTwFd_yc/s1600/DSC_8240.NEF.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning glory food for bee.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, the rubbish men came by, some workmen tore out part of our sidewalk, old Greta-two-doors-down yelled at her daughter-in-law in Deutschlish, someone rang our doorbell, sprinkler men came to fix the neighbor's sprinklers, landscapers mowed, leaf blowers moved the leaves around, the fire siren went off, and, in the distance, a chainsaw made short work of a tree. I had coffee and birds, and was almost oblivious.<br />
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MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-44041877281068612682014-10-19T21:30:00.000-04:002014-10-19T21:30:35.211-04:00The Mechanical CardinalDollar store shopping on a Sunday night.<br />
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Couple in front of me has 25 items. Girl-who-scans makes short work of the order, skillfully turning each barcode to the laser as though she had been born to the task. The last item is a little mechanical cardinal. The wife hesitates, holding it back. <br />
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Husband says, "She buys one every year, but they never work. Can you open it and show us how to turn it on?"<br />
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Girl-who-scans-so-well tries and fails to open the package.<br />
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<a href="http://www.horror-hall.com/images/Chirping%20Cardinal%20Bird%20Christmas%20Ornament%20Clip-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.horror-hall.com/images/Chirping%20Cardinal%20Bird%20Christmas%20Ornament%20Clip-1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>"I'll do it with my teeth!" declares Husband. He applies his incisors and opens the package, then tips the bird into her hand.<br />
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Girl-who-scans-so-well-but-cannot-open-a-wrapper, who has never taken notice of the item (or any other item in fact) before, says, "You just pull this tab," as she pulls. The bird remains as still as it had been while lodged in suffocating cellophane.<br />
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"Go get another one," says Husband to the wife. She toddles off to the opposite end of the store, and returns shortly with another bird. Husband releases the new bird from its plastic prison.<br />
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Girl-who-scans-so-well-and-remains-undaunted-though-she-cannot-open-a-wrapper tries again. She breaks the bird, yet the bird ekes out a series of tortured tweets. The couple is delighted by the newly audible cardinal, but they want an intact one.<br />
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The folks in the growing line look on in awe as the wife toddles off to get yet another bird. This one is dropped unceremoniously into the shopping bag by the wife. They pay and leave. Girl-who-scans-so-well-but-who-cannot-open-wrappers-and-breaks-birds resumes scanning. So, well.<br />
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Reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HTKT8U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HTKT8U&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion&linkId=VK3EYMTYBTD4OILT" target="_blank">The Emperor and the Nightingale </a> this evening by the fire.MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-53846116499027697192014-10-16T16:19:00.001-04:002014-10-16T18:59:10.643-04:00From Ugliness to True Beauty at CiRCE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zI9LCv-ib_c/R3GRtHoTLVI/AAAAAAAACVo/IAmB5IHfUIM/s1600/DSC_2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zI9LCv-ib_c/R3GRtHoTLVI/AAAAAAAACVo/IAmB5IHfUIM/s1600/DSC_2355.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">No, not my Circe.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
I spent half of last weekend in the company of the <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/" target="_blank">CiRCE Institute</a>'s president Andrew Kern, his lovely wife, and one of their great speakers, <a href="http://www.guroian.com/" target="_blank">Vigen Guroian</a>, discussing three fairy tales (Annika, you would have loved this--a taste of the course they no longer offer at Sewanee). Those who know me know that I place a good deal of emphasis on <i>the story</i> (see what I did there?) as education, and <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2010/07/9th-grade-literature.html" target="_blank">fairy tales were a big part of our curriculum</a>, even on the high school level. To hear these men speak from their hearts on matters so close to my own was sheer pleasure.<br />
<br />
It was beyond amusing to hear Mr. Guroian open with the story of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasreddin#Examples" target="_blank">Nasreddin's sermon</a>, with which I have also occasionally opened a talk. N.B.: He tells it better than I do. At the 2013 CiRCE conference Mr. Guroian spoke on King of the Golden River, one of my favorite fairy tales. The story is available in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375714553/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375714553&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion&linkId=YQOAIUXQHMHZF5MM" target="_blank">this anthology</a>, and on Kindle <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TPS900/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004TPS900&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion&linkId=DDW2D2UOUSOGX7JW" target="_blank">here</a>. Mr. Guroian's CiRCE talk on the story is <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/products?keys=&term_node_tid_depth[0]=22&term_node_tid_depth[1]=47&&term_node_tid_depth_1[0]=94&sort_bef_combine=created%20DESC&sort_order=DESC&sort_by=created&page=1" target="_blank">here</a> (check out the many other worthy selections as well). So few people I know have read this story that just meeting someone who has was nearly enough for me. <br />
<br />
But CiRCE offered far more on that rainy day. Three classic fairy tales, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, and Grimms' Cinderella, were given the CiRCE treatment--studied, not deconstructed; valued, not devalued; imagined, not re-engineered--to the delight of the fortunate attendees. And no feminist lenses blurred the gimlet eye as we searched for beauty in the texts. We read, they read, and we all simply talked about the stories.<br />
<br />
It would take a better memory (and ears, frankly, for the audience was not on mic) than mine to do justice to the erudition of the audience, but it thrilled me to be among them. The gentlemen themselves presented the stories to us passage by passage in close reading to help us find the good, true, and beautiful in each story. We read plenty of <i>ugly</i> in each tale as well, but through the ugliness we see beauty, don't we?<br />
<br />
The sessions were rather like drinking wine with experts. One tastes, takes notes, and hopes he might recall the details later. But one also enjoys the moment when the wine first hits the palate, the moment it warms in the mouth, and the finish as you reflect and anticipate the next draught. This meeting resembled a vineyard afternoon. We drank the literature deeply, and savored the flavor together.<br />
<br />
A few highlights: The notion of <i>surrendering to beauty</i> in The Ugly Duckling; the idea of <i>sensitivity</i> in The Princess and the Pea; and the truth of the <i>communion of saints</i> in Cinderella. Want more? Check out CiRCE's audio library. Much of the content is <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/audio" target="_blank">free</a>, and most of <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/products?term_node_tid_depth[0]=22&term_node_tid_depth[1]=47" target="_blank">the rest</a> is a mere pittance. Perhaps these talks will be made available, but similar talks are on the website.<br />
<br />
Please, reread these stories in good translations, not simplified versions, to find the details in full. A picture book version, while beautifully illustrated, will often, at best, dumb-down the text for children, or, at worst, sanitize the text, removing all the beauty along with the ugliness, rendering the story meaningless.<br />
<br />
Edited to add: The Usual Suspect has a tag line in class, "Just read the book," which is his answer to just about everything we ponder. Of course, it has become a bit of a friendly class joke. Wish he had been there to hear Mr. Kern say the very same thing...MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-48112762033612200392014-10-09T22:30:00.003-04:002014-10-16T09:31:23.738-04:00Can't Stop the Dickensian Discussion!Remember<a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-teaching-dickens-to-mob.html" target="_blank"> last week</a>? How things have changed.<br />
<br />
Students were asked to bring in a favorite passage from our reading, or a passage they wished to look at in more depth. We read about young Jerry's imagined flight from an animated coffin. We read about the "hospital procession" and later discovered that the very excellent <a href="http://dickens.stanford.edu/tale/issue1_gloss5.html" target="_blank">Stanford site</a> could help us see that it was simply a description of a piece of furniture. And we were most disturbed to reread the chocolate preparation scene after we heard a student tell us of his research, revealing that it might be a darkly satirized Catholic Mass, a revelation which certainly changed our view of the passage.<br />
<br />
This was supposed to be our last meeting on Dickens, and our first on the next book, but the latter part of the plan did not work out. Everything we tried to discuss in the next book steered the conversation back to England and France.<br />
<br />
I have created monsters who can't stop talking about A Tale of Two Cities. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/T2C_Fred_Barnard%2C_Miss_Pross_et_Lucie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/T2C_Fred_Barnard%2C_Miss_Pross_et_Lucie.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a>The big argument? Miss Manette's role in the story. The astute students complained that she <i>did</i> nothing in the story. Yet, we considered the story without her; would it work?<br />
<br />
<i>It sure would have been shorter</i>, they mused. But that wasn't the end of the chatter.<br />
<br />
While she is not the active subject of the story, she is the <i>object</i> of several story lines. Is it fair to her character to say that she's the object that drives the story? Remove Miss Manette, and what motivates each character? Some considered it thoughtfully. The Usual Suspect was not stirred, and would have her removed from the story no matter how dull the story might become. In his revolution, Miss Manette would be the first to lose her head.<br />
<br />
We tried again to go on the the next book, but there the female characters are stronger, prompting more comparisons. Students could not resist turning back once more to Dickens. They needed to express their admiration for Miss Pross, and even for Mme. DeFarge and the seamstress. The conversation went on and on...<br />
<br />
But we don't just chat about literature. We are using the <a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/lost-tools-writing" target="_blank">Lost Tool of Writing</a> course as a guide to better rhetoric. The students completed a deliberative essay on TTC last week, yet several of my fine young scholars have opted to write a second essay on TTC rather than go on to the next novel. They have, it seems, discovered that there is <i>something</i> about Dickens, something that makes one like him more as understanding of his work grows, something revealed only by rereading, something which makes us unwilling to move on, as if moving on will mean leaving a good friend behind. In short, there is something more to be said.<br />
<br />
As an added delight, during our history lesson on the French Revolution a student announced that it was easy to remember the events because of TTC. And there was much agreement.<br />
<br />
I declare success.MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-74813194228351393222014-10-02T11:24:00.001-04:002014-10-02T11:24:43.497-04:00On Teaching Dickens to the Mob<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Charles_Dickens-_A_Tale_of_Two_Cities-With_Illustrations_by_H_K_Browne%2C_1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Charles_Dickens-_A_Tale_of_Two_Cities-With_Illustrations_by_H_K_Browne%2C_1859.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ask nearly anyone and you will hear that any study of any book by Dickens in any high school class was the worst of times. Many will tell you that they never picked up another book by Dickens again. Even the name of the author elicits a visceral response. My own son*, an avid reader and a fan of Dickens, was horrified by the treatment of <a href="http://amzn.to/1rlsKTE" target="_blank">Great Expectations</a> in his high school class. So, when I heard that I would be teaching <a href="http://amzn.to/1rtms34" target="_blank">A Tale of Two Cities</a> for the homeschooled high schoolers in my coop class, I was excited (such a wonderful book!), but nervous, too. Would my method make the students hate Dickens? Would my small mob of students send Dickens to the Bastille, and call for my execution? Could anything save Dickens form the classroom treatment?<br />
<br />
I'll have to get back to you on that.<br />
<br />
The coop meets once a week. I set aside three weeks for our discussion, one for each book within the book. Since this is the first novel we are reading this year, I thought the students might have started reading it over the summer. Some did. Most finished. Those who did not were close enough to finish shortly after our planned last day of discussion. That's one small success.<br />
<br />
But that may have been the only success at that point, and I'm sad to say it. Discussion was forced and slow at times, with only brief, punctuated expressions of real understanding. Despite Dickens' long drawn-out character descriptions, the students had a hard time identifying the heroic figures. One student--a voracious reader--did not recognize which character is executed, and blamed the author's overuse of the pronoun "he" towards the end of the novel (perhaps a valid complaint!). At that point I realized I had to radically change the way I "taught" Dickens.<br />
<br />
There is no secret formula, though with my own homeschooled kids it <i>seemed </i>simple: Read or listen to a book together, talk about it, share passages, compare it with experience or other reading, etc. It's very natural to learn this way; leisurely reading and discussing promotes deep understanding. This does not work well in the classroom due mainly to time constraints. The students had clearly rushed the reading just for the sake of completing it on time. Of course, this is the nature of classrooms everywhere, and not the fault of the students at all. But for encouraging the sheer joy of reading, this method is fundamentally wrong. Moreover, though I have known these students for many years and despite having had countless quick book discussions with some of them, and deep discussions of Shakespeare with others, conversation was not at all spontaneous.<br />
<br />
I needed these kids to love Dickens; this was personal.<br />
<br />
With some flexibility in the class, I was able to expand discussion for another two sessions. Yesterday was the first of the two. But would anything be better? Only if I changed my approach, I thought, but how? I walked into class with no plan, but began to ask questions, as usual.<br />
<br />
<b>Did we read this too quickly?</b><br />
All agreed.<br />
<b>Would you read this book again?</b><br />
A few weakly raised hands. <i>If I had more time</i>, one girl said.<br />
And there was one emphatic <i>No </i>from the Usual Suspect.<br />
<b>Why not?</b><br />
<i>It's too long!</i><br />
<b>Have you ever read any Dickens before?</b><br />
<i>Yes, I read A Christmas Carol. It was shorter.</i><br />
Laughter.<br />
<b>So, would A Tale of Two Cities been better if it were shorter?</b><br />
<i>Yes! Yes! Yes!</i><br />
<br />
Light bulb moment. They were excited about something.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you have left out?</b><br />
<br />
Aha! The classroom mob awakened! Recalled to life, perhaps?<br />
<br />
Shouts and discussion. Intense descriptions of passages in detail. Arguments for keeping certain passages. The Usual Suspect complained that he read a long passage thinking it was so long so that it might foreshadow some other event, but was disappointed when it seemed did not. Another student countered that it did, in fact, foreshadow, and US had simply missed it. Where was the reprise?<br />
<br />
30 minutes of debate raged on before we ran out of time. Clearly, they knew the book better than they (and I) thought they did. Clearly, they got it. Clearly, they needed more time to ruminate. I declared another week on the book, asking the students to bring their favorite passages to class, and to be prepared to defend their choices. I anticipate continued excellence and enthusiasm.<br />
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We concluded the class with a reminder that the book, like many in the era, was serialized in 31 weekly installments. Imagine 31 weeks to discuss the book! Too much? Maybe, but three weeks is the worst of times.<br />
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*The one who attended high school.<br />
Illustration source: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Tale_of_Two_CitiesMacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-31476538645766719252014-04-05T20:21:00.001-04:002014-04-05T20:21:56.190-04:00Classical Graffiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TtN8866WBwU/U0Cd7er_qhI/AAAAAAAAg5k/A4I24ZfSrFc/s1600/IMG_20140404_101518-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TtN8866WBwU/U0Cd7er_qhI/AAAAAAAAg5k/A4I24ZfSrFc/s640/IMG_20140404_101518-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a> </div>
MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-88670881642544450492013-12-14T21:49:00.001-05:002013-12-15T11:14:36.989-05:00Practical Identification: Fossils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The geology students had a good time identifying selected fossils from my collection. Some specimens were tricky, and some required a very close examination.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcQO6txgtgU/Uq0Thb_9QlI/AAAAAAAAd28/aN_TPojH-wc/s1600/geologypic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcQO6txgtgU/Uq0Thb_9QlI/AAAAAAAAd28/aN_TPojH-wc/s320/geologypic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two young geologists examine a fossil shark tooth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4nBll7NNXw/Uq0ThGpOtbI/AAAAAAAAd20/O3nPbFxRUJ8/s1600/geopic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4nBll7NNXw/Uq0ThGpOtbI/AAAAAAAAd20/O3nPbFxRUJ8/s320/geopic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone easily identified the fish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1EBzcmvxF0/Uq0ThabvIyI/AAAAAAAAd24/tIR1FdCULQM/s1600/geopic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1EBzcmvxF0/Uq0ThabvIyI/AAAAAAAAd24/tIR1FdCULQM/s320/geopic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They needed a hand lens to see the fossil gastropod shell embedded in limestone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVWYymdrK4M/Uq0Thpv2mvI/AAAAAAAAd3A/mb9iStBzvhE/s1600/geopic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVWYymdrK4M/Uq0Thpv2mvI/AAAAAAAAd3A/mb9iStBzvhE/s320/geopic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ammonite was also an easy I. D.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqY-GBM0TMU/Uq0Th1fI9PI/AAAAAAAAd3g/moSu10FDgi4/s1600/geopic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqY-GBM0TMU/Uq0Th1fI9PI/AAAAAAAAd3g/moSu10FDgi4/s320/geopic5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each sample was classified by fossil type and identified if possible. The students drew each sample on the station sheet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yG50039c9M/Uq0TiEqsFtI/AAAAAAAAd3Y/fEuLiSyBhlY/s1600/geopic6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yG50039c9M/Uq0TiEqsFtI/AAAAAAAAd3Y/fEuLiSyBhlY/s320/geopic6.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That shark tooth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fPgDrC_65M/Uq0TiB2q4NI/AAAAAAAAd3M/14fW8KabWh8/s1600/petrified.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fPgDrC_65M/Uq0TiB2q4NI/AAAAAAAAd3M/14fW8KabWh8/s320/petrified.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't have any petrified wood, but I promised a photo. Here, Trip examines a former log in <a href="http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm" target="_blank">Petrified Forest National Park.</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Need some books for young fossil hunters? Here are a few:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1b6CvHN" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Smithsonian Handbook</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1cJkMuw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Fossil Hunting</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1cJkOCH" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">DK Eyewitness: Fossil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1b6CSC4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Fossil (Golden Guide)</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Or, get your own <a href="http://amzn.to/18sPlVO" target="_blank">starter set,</a> and set up a set of practical stations.</span></div>
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<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-45861594576082036482013-12-05T11:31:00.000-05:002013-12-05T11:32:12.578-05:00Strings of Elven Pearls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was so foggy this morning! Silent dew drops clung to everything--the perfect day to take some pictures. Click on the photos to enlarge.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rugG62XuFdc/UqCivnrrsqI/AAAAAAAAdoc/e_c3czvfsH0/s1600/DSC_5774.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rugG62XuFdc/UqCivnrrsqI/AAAAAAAAdoc/e_c3czvfsH0/s320/DSC_5774.NEF" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to get a shot of this drop as it lenses the oak tree next door in a perfect upside-down image in miniature, but was annoyed to find this bit of string in the image.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLTffv6pmL0/UqCjR_-6X0I/AAAAAAAAdok/7aPitrlj11E/s1600/DSC_5788.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLTffv6pmL0/UqCjR_-6X0I/AAAAAAAAdok/7aPitrlj11E/s320/DSC_5788.NEF" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I took a closer look. It was covered with smaller drops.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1DP0l31oiY/UqCmeWNz65I/AAAAAAAAdow/fKXzxUk2sCc/s1600/pearls+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1DP0l31oiY/UqCmeWNz65I/AAAAAAAAdow/fKXzxUk2sCc/s320/pearls+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And soon I saw that these fine filaments were everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUi9AAUfIZ4/UqCmoKt5S3I/AAAAAAAAdpI/lK4idVP0tBo/s1600/pearls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUi9AAUfIZ4/UqCmoKt5S3I/AAAAAAAAdpI/lK4idVP0tBo/s320/pearls+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny strings of pearls, they seemed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFyYSfKWTow/UqCmoXu10PI/AAAAAAAAdo4/OvW8iy1cLKg/s1600/pearls+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFyYSfKWTow/UqCmoXu10PI/AAAAAAAAdo4/OvW8iy1cLKg/s320/pearls+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woven along the yew...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahu5eXkreyc/UqCmoV7TvaI/AAAAAAAAdo8/coSUrt4sC8s/s1600/pearls+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahu5eXkreyc/UqCmoV7TvaI/AAAAAAAAdo8/coSUrt4sC8s/s320/pearls+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as though a tiny elf had strung them...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEZrJzLZles/UqCmo7QhuPI/AAAAAAAAdpA/uJ4YGWNFR5Y/s1600/pearls+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEZrJzLZles/UqCmo7QhuPI/AAAAAAAAdpA/uJ4YGWNFR5Y/s320/pearls+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on each branch, for Christmas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-73317428501289642432013-11-29T16:17:00.002-05:002014-03-13T13:44:02.282-04:00Raven Eats WaspsDid a quick image search for this sort of behavior but nothing turned up. <br />
<br />
(Caveat: Never birdwatch while driving.)<br />
<br />
Way in the back of the long office parking lot, there is a pass-through driveway to the supermarket next door. The back of the parking lot is a bit overgrown, and in the curbside underbrush grows a tree. And on that tree, there hangs an impressive and unmistakable paper wasp nest. Big and grey, it waves, heavily on a windy day, on the tip of a delicate branch.<br />
<br />
I was taking the shortcut through the supermarket lot on my way to the office when I saw a big black bird fly over the car and land on the nest. I thought it was a crow at first, as ravens are not as common in these suburbs. But this was a big glossy bird with a heavy bill, and it was making no sound, unlike the boisterous local crows. <br />
<br />
The pass-through is narrow, and I hit the high curb as I was looking at the bird. Two cars leaving the office lot stopped to stare as I backed off the curb and let them pass. I drove through when they had gone and pulled into the nearest space, hoping the bird was still there. It stayed as I stepped out of the car and into the lot. A guy drove up behind me and honked impatiently until I moved to the side. A woman drove up behind him and smiled indulgently as I snapped a few shots.<br />
<br />
All I had was my Samsung tablet. It takes photos, but not like the Nikon does. With no zoom lens, and only a screen which reflects the sky on a bright day in such a way that one cannot tell what one is photographing, I took a few blind shots while the raven picked at the nest, sending shards of the soft gray paper fluttering to the ground. This is the good one:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zh8-j6xmZg/UpjpgxvApkI/AAAAAAAAdfk/4Is3q475hIU/s1600/1402415_10201364734092996_554129030_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zh8-j6xmZg/UpjpgxvApkI/AAAAAAAAdfk/4Is3q475hIU/s320/1402415_10201364734092996_554129030_o.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
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This one wasn't too bad, either, left uncropped. It was a gorgeous cold day, and the raven is beautiful black bird.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqBIglPd-Rg/UpjqkQ9QooI/AAAAAAAAdgM/erpsNWEf_QQ/s1600/IMG_20131125_120934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqBIglPd-Rg/UpjqkQ9QooI/AAAAAAAAdgM/erpsNWEf_QQ/s320/IMG_20131125_120934.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Since it was a sub-freezing, I imagine the raven got a few tasty torpid wasps for its trouble. Ravens are the largest of the perching birds, members of the crow family, and quite stunning up close. Paper wasps are nasty, stinging insects. I'm thankful for ravens.<br />
<br />
Want to learn more? Here are some raven books:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V507ES/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000V507ES&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Mind of the Raven</a> (Heinrich)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679732365/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679732365&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Ravens in Winter</a> (Heinrich)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DX0F4FK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DX0F4FK&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">The Raven (Poe!)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076496609X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=076496609X&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Raven and the Red Ball</a> (picture book)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152024492/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152024492&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">Raven</a> (Native American tale)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003X09YKQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003X09YKQ&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">Arabel's Raven</a> (Aiken)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142405477/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142405477&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">Charlie's Raven</a> (George)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0826330231/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0826330231&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">Clem</a> (true story)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060235527/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060235527&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">The Seven Ravens</a> (Grimm)MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-36715136036681614622013-11-23T11:59:00.001-05:002013-11-23T11:59:35.664-05:0010 Cool Gifts for Earth Science Students<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMyUj3M0MSE/UpDefqsKMTI/AAAAAAAAdaQ/k6kv3nn2P8g/s1600/DSC_5139.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMyUj3M0MSE/UpDefqsKMTI/AAAAAAAAdaQ/k6kv3nn2P8g/s320/DSC_5139.NEF" width="320" /></a>...and some books, of course. Since I am teaching earth science this year, I thought I'd pull together a quick list of small gifts, bigger gifts, or stocking-stuffers for the enthusiastic rock lover. Of course, nothing says Merry Geological Christmas like a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00845R1AU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00845R1AU&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">lump of coal</a>. But here are a few other suggestions. Books for earth science are listed at the end.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00BSRAH5M/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&condition=new&creative=390957&keywords=gallium&linkCode=ur2&qid=1384710354&s=industrial&sr=1-1&tag=macbethsopinion">Gallium</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=macbethsopinion&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B00067CR3U">Small sample boxes</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7RAKC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000E7RAKC&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Rock hammer</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C9LG60/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001C9LG60&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion%22%3ESE%20-%20Loupe%20Set%20-%20Dual%2010x+20x,%2010x,%2030x,%203%20Pc%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=macbethsopinion&l=as2&o=1&a=B001C9LG60">Loupe set</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NOKY2W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NOKY2W&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Rock Tumbler</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q70A0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001Q70A0G&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">UV flashlight</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=macbethsopinion&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B001RKFZPC">Safety glasses</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KBMCL4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005KBMCL4&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Geode</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P4M9BM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002P4M9BM&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Prospecting pan</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SQQCHC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004SQQCHC&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Stereo microscope for rock samples</a><br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: #323232; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0525947086?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0525947086&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">The Seashell on the Mountain</a> is the story of <i>Bl. Niels Steno</i>. This is a secular account, but the story is good!</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0671746979?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0671746979&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">The Practical Geologist</a> is an excellent book for beginners, with all you need to know about rock formation and identification. Ideas, demonstrations, and more!</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374522596?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0374522596&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">The Control of Nature, and Basin and Range</a> (also available via <a class="cOptions" href="http://www.qksrv.net/click-macbethderham-10273919?url=http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp?source_code=COMA0213WS031709&entryRedirect=/site/enSearch/searchResults.jsp&entryParams=%5EN%7E0%5ENtx%7Emode%2Bmatchallpartial%5ED%7Ebasin+and+range%5EDx%7Emode%2Bmatchallpartial%5ENtk%7ES_Keywords%5ENtt%7Ebasin+and+range%5Ex%7E0%5Ey%7E0" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Audible</a> and is perfect for long car rides)<br />by John McPhee</b> (McPhee is wonderful, expressing scientific thought in layman's terms)</div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left">
<b><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/9622176771?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=9622176771&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Volcanoes in America's National Parks</a> by Barbara and Robert Decker (travel and learn!)</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;"></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0691050104?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0691050104&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Earthshaking Science</a>: What we know and What we don't Know about Earthquakes </b>by Susan Hough</div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140258795?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0140258795&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time</a> by Dava Sobel</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1575052547?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=1575052547&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Exploring the Earth With John Wesley Powell</a> by Michael Elsohn Ross (quick, good biography for young children)</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140255699?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0140255699&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons</a> by John Wesley Powell</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0521790301?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0521790301&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Beneath Our Feet : The Rocks of Planet Earth</a> by R. H. Vernon</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0195106652?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0195106652&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Melting the Earth : The History of Ideas on Volcanic Eruptions</a> by Haraldur Sigurdsson</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0226668126?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0226668126&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">After the Ice Age : The Return of Life to Glaciated North America</a> by E. C. Pielou</b></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 19px;"><b class="sans"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0471377430?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0471377430&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">The Secret Life of Dust</a> by Hannah Holmes (It's everywhere!)</span></b></span></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 19px;"><b class="sans"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0312208812?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0312208812&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Volcano Cowboys</a> by Dick Thompson (brave guys...)</span></b></span></div>
</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 19px;"><b class="sans"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0716736519?tag=macbethsopinion&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0716736519&creative=373489&camp=211189" style="color: #e28400; text-decoration: none;">Earth in Turmoil : Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Their Impact on Humankind</a> by Kerry Sieh</span></b></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-10797560858226614312013-11-15T18:18:00.000-05:002013-11-15T18:18:08.812-05:00My Post on Things and ThoughtsA bit about <a href="http://thingsandthoughts.net/beyond-a-blade-of-grass/">photography for nature study</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6Doa9hB67o/UoarjSwoJxI/AAAAAAAAdTU/Bu6pmcx7d3Q/s1600/480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6Doa9hB67o/UoarjSwoJxI/AAAAAAAAdTU/Bu6pmcx7d3Q/s320/480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-51122720726691374042013-11-11T11:09:00.002-05:002013-11-11T11:09:27.611-05:00Ye Olde MacBeth's Opinion WebsiteSeems as though the home page has been taken over by some equally olde web entity. I changed the link (left sidebar) to the <a href="http://charlottemason.tripod.com/nature.html">nature study page</a>. All links except the homepage are available through the nature study page. If you have encountered problems in the past, try visiting now. Meanwhile, I hope to get back to moving the whole mess to the blog, and revitalizing the links. <br />
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Hope you are all enjoying autumn!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4iR0CJlOK0/UoEBCt7u1gI/AAAAAAAAdQs/7aKxzdYa92s/s1600/crazy+squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4iR0CJlOK0/UoEBCt7u1gI/AAAAAAAAdQs/7aKxzdYa92s/s320/crazy+squash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-50528246320156450802013-11-04T20:14:00.003-05:002013-11-04T20:14:49.272-05:00St. Andrew Chaplet for the Terminally ForgetfulRaise your hand if you have started the St. Andrew prayer during Advent, planning faithfully to follow the prescribed prayer series only to forget. Every year, I do the same thing.<br />
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Fortunately, for those terminally forgetful among us, there is a solution and solace to be found in the simple chaplet...put it on your wrist for a constant reminder of the devotion.<br />
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Pretty, isn't it?</div>
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Made by my friend Ruth, who anticipated my need, this beautiful chaplet can be found find on <a href="http://thetuckerbunch.typepad.com/ave_maria_rosaries/2009/11/st-andrew-chaplet.html">her website</a>, along with the prayer.</div>
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-71319281296336719712013-10-27T16:19:00.001-04:002013-10-27T16:19:17.945-04:00Photographing Fairies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just for fun. Not exactly Cottingley Fairies (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottingley_Fairies">famous</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AUHQR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0000AUHQR&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">fictionalized</a>), but still, these might make one wonder.</div>
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Ah! It's only milkweed.</div>
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The other shots were failed attempts to capture milkweed in flight. I hope the seeds grow in my yard next spring so I can capture blurry monarch photos. Find out more with this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416900853/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416900853&linkCode=as2&tag=macbethsopinion">Monarch and Milkweed</a>.</div>
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-40757046798539675342013-10-03T14:43:00.000-04:002013-10-04T12:14:19.917-04:00Mine Again, and An Astronomical Opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Six years ago, we took the kids to a <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2007/12/mine-all-mine.html" target="_blank">copper mine</a>, and they had a blast. Heh. But that was not our first experience with mines...no indeed. Ten years ago, <a href="http://charlottemason.tripod.com/diamonds.html" target="_blank">I took my kids to the Herkimer Diamond Mines in upstate NY</a>. 4 hours from NYC is another world--a world of ancient rocks and beautiful crystals. This past weekend, I took another set of kids to the same spot. Like prisoners on a chain gang, the kids diligently broke rocks with little pay-off. Towards the end of the day, a mine employee came out and gave us some hints. We were rewarded with a find of small, beautiful crystals. Here are some photos of the adventure. (You can click on the link above and see the difference in digital photography via cell phone then, and my Nikon today.) Mining is fun for the whole family. It is even more fun when your group camps together at a campground with an observatory. Yes, indeed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young miners hit a wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A careful inspection of the rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting on the ledge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXUjPq8-Yo8/UkuOPKYRM5I/AAAAAAAAb80/vcuVujmdisw/s1600/DSC_5118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXUjPq8-Yo8/UkuOPKYRM5I/AAAAAAAAb80/vcuVujmdisw/s320/DSC_5118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursing mothers can feel right at home in the mines!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAZJH0sA1eo/UkuOMs08kwI/AAAAAAAAb8o/JWt__nHtVPw/s1600/DSC_5116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAZJH0sA1eo/UkuOMs08kwI/AAAAAAAAb8o/JWt__nHtVPw/s320/DSC_5116.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding her own space.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_0tQXGh3E/UkuOfR57zuI/AAAAAAAAb-k/gplkePhivTs/s1600/DSC_5132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_0tQXGh3E/UkuOfR57zuI/AAAAAAAAb-k/gplkePhivTs/s320/DSC_5132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mining in the field.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOzX4eAA0PA/UkuOkmoI25I/AAAAAAAAb_Q/Bg4FoqD7Asg/s1600/DSC_5137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOzX4eAA0PA/UkuOkmoI25I/AAAAAAAAb_Q/Bg4FoqD7Asg/s320/DSC_5137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's cell service.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJWu3xF16V8/UkuOiTHYQMI/AAAAAAAAb_A/Ln3cPXqU6y4/s1600/DSC_5135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJWu3xF16V8/UkuOiTHYQMI/AAAAAAAAb_A/Ln3cPXqU6y4/s320/DSC_5135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sifting through the rubble.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejoR6XW3PeM/UkuOhbcA0tI/AAAAAAAAb-0/VMTV4CnJJso/s1600/DSC_5134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejoR6XW3PeM/UkuOhbcA0tI/AAAAAAAAb-0/VMTV4CnJJso/s320/DSC_5134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for the perfect spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0m_xkIt3tFQ/UkuOmTJrgFI/AAAAAAAAb_c/aiMl0BRM2mU/s1600/DSC_5139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0m_xkIt3tFQ/UkuOmTJrgFI/AAAAAAAAb_c/aiMl0BRM2mU/s320/DSC_5139.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water break.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heF8KfFE5w0/Uk2uTZ8mLZI/AAAAAAAAcPY/0IONzrMYuz4/s1600/mine+diamonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heF8KfFE5w0/Uk2uTZ8mLZI/AAAAAAAAcPY/0IONzrMYuz4/s320/mine+diamonds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You keep what you find!</td></tr>
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After a hard day in the mines, one wants to relax. We chose the Herkimer KOA as our lodging place...Why? This is why:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bK69zF9H1as/UkuPEDH8JuI/AAAAAAAAcC8/ULvSCl9wv1g/s1600/DSC_5167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bK69zF9H1as/UkuPEDH8JuI/AAAAAAAAcC8/ULvSCl9wv1g/s320/DSC_5167.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely porch (I bought the books).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpSvUJPRK0w/UkuO_vbAleI/AAAAAAAAcCg/jjYLa9jJDhQ/s1600/DSC_5163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpSvUJPRK0w/UkuO_vbAleI/AAAAAAAAcCg/jjYLa9jJDhQ/s320/DSC_5163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gas grill...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yaf5Jvwr-os/UkuO4Z4eXqI/AAAAAAAAcBo/Rlccc3kLahQ/s1600/DSC_5156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yaf5Jvwr-os/UkuO4Z4eXqI/AAAAAAAAcBo/Rlccc3kLahQ/s320/DSC_5156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, did I mention the observatory? We rented this lodge and had it all to ourselves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4NIxvttqek/UkuO7oddvxI/AAAAAAAAcB8/EtgXvPXu_Vw/s1600/DSC_5159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4NIxvttqek/UkuO7oddvxI/AAAAAAAAcB8/EtgXvPXu_Vw/s320/DSC_5159.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It had plenty of seating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ00ASmThXk/UkuPA9EjW3I/AAAAAAAAcCo/V0kjl3uzAL0/s1600/DSC_5164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ00ASmThXk/UkuPA9EjW3I/AAAAAAAAcCo/V0kjl3uzAL0/s320/DSC_5164.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnsEZj0Byus/UkuPBzs-M5I/AAAAAAAAcCw/H2qxCdtXA3g/s1600/DSC_5165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnsEZj0Byus/UkuPBzs-M5I/AAAAAAAAcCw/H2qxCdtXA3g/s320/DSC_5165.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The master bedroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Iq_vWdwbo/Ukw3zDPpqqI/AAAAAAAAcNA/YeBLy4tDqxQ/s1600/IMG_20130930_110909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Iq_vWdwbo/Ukw3zDPpqqI/AAAAAAAAcNA/YeBLy4tDqxQ/s320/IMG_20130930_110909.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrE1Uvia6WA/UkuPDDda6tI/AAAAAAAAcC4/JDb1V05FhS8/s1600/DSC_5166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrE1Uvia6WA/UkuPDDda6tI/AAAAAAAAcC4/JDb1V05FhS8/s320/DSC_5166.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunkroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lodge for our enjoyment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LNEoM69fjE/UkuO2JjatFI/AAAAAAAAcBY/k0NJIpjOVpU/s1600/DSC_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LNEoM69fjE/UkuO2JjatFI/AAAAAAAAcBY/k0NJIpjOVpU/s320/DSC_5154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a spectacular adventure. Sure we had to cook, but food on a stick or prepared on the grill was easy. Had we wanted more, we had the cooking facilities to make meals to die for. Bacon and sausage and oatmeal and pumpkin bread for breakfast...and s'mores, of course.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHXNNB1YbAE/UkuPGagahlI/AAAAAAAAcDM/1V5Yr-OFEVY/s1600/DSC_5169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHXNNB1YbAE/UkuPGagahlI/AAAAAAAAcDM/1V5Yr-OFEVY/s320/DSC_5169.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our younger miners fell asleep early.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8uVwLLywPo/UkuPS3AxlNI/AAAAAAAAcEs/KAlkTTtwoN4/s1600/DSC_5181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8uVwLLywPo/UkuPS3AxlNI/AAAAAAAAcEs/KAlkTTtwoN4/s320/DSC_5181.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One stayed up until the wee hours of the night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69pKS3kGnC8/UkuPT-CB4BI/AAAAAAAAcE4/2tHUEIpF00o/s1600/DSC_5182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69pKS3kGnC8/UkuPT-CB4BI/AAAAAAAAcE4/2tHUEIpF00o/s320/DSC_5182.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big kids helped keep the fires going.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xW3e0sgIFQ/UkuPM1fcFEI/AAAAAAAAcEA/J4NzVd1drSk/s1600/DSC_5175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xW3e0sgIFQ/UkuPM1fcFEI/AAAAAAAAcEA/J4NzVd1drSk/s320/DSC_5175.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids camped across from us, along the creek.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6O-6UI2KgA/UkuPXwqTWrI/AAAAAAAAcFY/XGSBYo6aHMU/s1600/DSC_5186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6O-6UI2KgA/UkuPXwqTWrI/AAAAAAAAcFY/XGSBYo6aHMU/s320/DSC_5186.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some clouds, but the skies cleared and we had good viewing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMN8VRY4Hco/UkuPaqRyDKI/AAAAAAAAcF0/SJnlEV2i9lA/s1600/DSC_5189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMN8VRY4Hco/UkuPaqRyDKI/AAAAAAAAcF0/SJnlEV2i9lA/s320/DSC_5189.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also wine. It's not just about the kids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZrGCHH0TTg/UkuPdqDUlTI/AAAAAAAAcGE/3-sx-PK_e1k/s1600/DSC_5192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZrGCHH0TTg/UkuPdqDUlTI/AAAAAAAAcGE/3-sx-PK_e1k/s320/DSC_5192.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the observatory was a hammock and picnic area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No visit to the Herkimer area is complete without a visit to the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. Unfortunately, the boat we had planned to take on the canal was undergoing maintenance, but we drove to <a href="http://www.cityoflittlefalls.net/history.cfm" target="_blank">Little Falls</a> and walked along the canal and enjoyed the history and the scenery. And the moms took pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jujRn2vwZcQ/UkuPiDlIvsI/AAAAAAAAcGk/NdDyBL5eBCE/s1600/DSC_5196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jujRn2vwZcQ/UkuPiDlIvsI/AAAAAAAAcGk/NdDyBL5eBCE/s320/DSC_5196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids along the Mohawk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLVtnXUNNbQ/UkuPk5o1wrI/AAAAAAAAcG8/8oOjMwemlP8/s1600/DSC_5199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLVtnXUNNbQ/UkuPk5o1wrI/AAAAAAAAcG8/8oOjMwemlP8/s320/DSC_5199.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A waterfall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD4FFd5nz4E/UkuPnjQkdiI/AAAAAAAAcHY/qYX4VZqGSsM/s1600/DSC_5202.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD4FFd5nz4E/UkuPnjQkdiI/AAAAAAAAcHY/qYX4VZqGSsM/s320/DSC_5202.NEF.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Family Parish in Little Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_eoYxOE1lk/UkuPjJ4YGdI/AAAAAAAAcGs/ojq79zZ8D1o/s1600/DSC_5197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_eoYxOE1lk/UkuPjJ4YGdI/AAAAAAAAcGs/ojq79zZ8D1o/s320/DSC_5197.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk to the Lock (17).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjhHbjpyMk0/UkuPrsaO0hI/AAAAAAAAcH0/vsCUv05j4Po/s1600/DSC_5206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjhHbjpyMk0/UkuPrsaO0hI/AAAAAAAAcH0/vsCUv05j4Po/s320/DSC_5206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boat from Ontario heads east, and waits for the lock to open.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AtInc1oFs/UkuPsuNX7OI/AAAAAAAAcIA/dvtSLTKXg8Y/s1600/DSC_5207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AtInc1oFs/UkuPsuNX7OI/AAAAAAAAcIA/dvtSLTKXg8Y/s320/DSC_5207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And waited...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, you may have to wait, but the <a href="http://www.canals.ny.gov/boating/tolls.html" target="_blank">price is right</a>. We had to move on.<br />
<br />
We hiked and saw historical signs telling us about the raised canal and boat basin that used to serve the area. Afterwards we got ice cream (moms ate free!!) and were treated to stories of the area told by the ice cream man.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmodBK1hY6o/Ukw3zCaMnmI/AAAAAAAAcNA/5g9joBxt1XY/s1600/IMG_20130930_143915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmodBK1hY6o/Ukw3zCaMnmI/AAAAAAAAcNA/5g9joBxt1XY/s320/IMG_20130930_143915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill with shops, and ice cream.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlhZ5pX2TFU/Ukw3zOjZfmI/AAAAAAAAcNA/lS_9GYhpCdQ/s1600/IMG_20130930_133151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlhZ5pX2TFU/Ukw3zOjZfmI/AAAAAAAAcNA/lS_9GYhpCdQ/s320/IMG_20130930_133151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye from along the Erie Canal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Also: The tale of mining from the<a href="http://maryellenb.typepad.com/tales_from_the_bonny_blue/2013/10/geology-101.html" target="_blank"> Bonnie Blue House</a>!<br />
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<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Other links:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.canals.ny.gov/history/finch_history_print.pdf" target="_blank">History of the Erie Canal</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.mii.org/" style="color: #993399;">Mineral Information Institute</a> (free stuff, and stuff for sale)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clublist.html" style="color: #993399;">Gem Clubs in the US</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ex.ac.uk/~RBurt/MinHistNet/" style="color: #993399;">Mining History</a> (worldwide)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www2.miningmuseum.org/" style="color: #993399;">World Museum of Mining</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.usgs.gov/" style="color: #993399;">U. S. Geological Survey</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://webmineral.com/" style="color: #993399;">Mineral Database</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/176TzvW" style="color: #993399;">Pan for gold at Home!</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
Good books for young miners:</div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/173vYve" target="_blank">Pigeon Post</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1gaOqKt" target="_blank">Rocks in His Head</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/19aAuyi" target="_blank">The Practical Geologist</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1cd0drH" target="_blank">Rocky Road Trip</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/17BxNE8" target="_blank">How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1cd1ezP" target="_blank">Holes</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/15MHelH">Roadside Geology series</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Need more books for your homeschooler?<br />
See also:<br />
<a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2011/09/high-school-astronomy-books-because.html" target="_blank">High School Astronomy</a><br />
<a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2010/07/earth-science-from-9th-grade-curriculum.html" target="_blank">High School Earth Science</a></div>
</div>
MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-35240012335752015972013-09-25T10:54:00.002-04:002013-09-25T10:54:36.227-04:00Funnels are TunnelsFor those who have not seen enough spider-web shots, here are a few more. Ah, but who could tire of them, really?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTpMJCwEy4o/UkL4D1TQp5I/AAAAAAAAbyk/3WLNJfl0XSE/s1600/funnel+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTpMJCwEy4o/UkL4D1TQp5I/AAAAAAAAbyk/3WLNJfl0XSE/s320/funnel+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funnel in the sun--empty and elegant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7FHBvtCUfU/UkL4EmvuaQI/AAAAAAAAbyw/FrKOKVVG3eQ/s1600/funnel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7FHBvtCUfU/UkL4EmvuaQI/AAAAAAAAbyw/FrKOKVVG3eQ/s320/funnel4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLwih294AbQ/UkL4EetOuaI/AAAAAAAAbyo/8u-9-h9DHfc/s1600/funnel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLwih294AbQ/UkL4EetOuaI/AAAAAAAAbyo/8u-9-h9DHfc/s320/funnel2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more tangled web...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRF901cBZ8/UkL4EStoWjI/AAAAAAAAbys/RUbgkYS9YS0/s1600/funnel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRF901cBZ8/UkL4EStoWjI/AAAAAAAAbys/RUbgkYS9YS0/s320/funnel1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And an uninviting scene, with scraps from a last meal at the door, and an abdomen sticking out of the funnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-12904079761184343832013-09-19T11:56:00.001-04:002013-09-19T12:00:09.427-04:00More PropertiesThe second lecture/lab of our geology class: Properties 2, magnetism and conductivity. <br />
We began with a scavenger hunt, looking for materials to test. The list suggested rocks, but it also included some natural materials, including grass, leaves, twigs, and more. <br />
<br />
Lessons learned: Metals conduct electricity. Some metals and alloys are attracted to a magnet, but not all. Most other things do not conduct electricity.<br />
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Big lesson: A negative result is as worthwhile as a positive result.<br />
<br />
Some highlights in photos:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVmmQbFDduc/Ujsb_0gZUKI/AAAAAAAAbt4/gW5smzx6qOo/s1600/samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVmmQbFDduc/Ujsb_0gZUKI/AAAAAAAAbt4/gW5smzx6qOo/s320/samples.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selecting some test specimens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ZcE7g7ppE/Ujsb9Q2XKCI/AAAAAAAAbtc/4vUy8kzFvOk/s1600/magnet+and+samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ZcE7g7ppE/Ujsb9Q2XKCI/AAAAAAAAbtc/4vUy8kzFvOk/s320/magnet+and+samples.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magnet and specimens</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLP3-3ZQ8gQ/Ujsb6N_40rI/AAAAAAAAbs8/K5VBIkGXr7A/s1600/circuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLP3-3ZQ8gQ/Ujsb6N_40rI/AAAAAAAAbs8/K5VBIkGXr7A/s320/circuit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The test site for conductivity: Switch, C cell, light and clips. The specimen will complete the circuit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkJDfuC7qsw/Ujsb6UhG3sI/AAAAAAAAbtE/Uh3iDua3Atc/s1600/39-DSC_4906-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkJDfuC7qsw/Ujsb6UhG3sI/AAAAAAAAbtE/Uh3iDua3Atc/s320/39-DSC_4906-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wax does not conduct.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HktcmWVOOks/Ujsb7u4zU1I/AAAAAAAAbtI/2QxvxOd2GX4/s1600/data+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HktcmWVOOks/Ujsb7u4zU1I/AAAAAAAAbtI/2QxvxOd2GX4/s320/data+collection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Data collection is neat and organized.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uctmXNYc-dk/UjscAQd7M7I/AAAAAAAAbtw/0ql9tHxisxQ/s1600/test+leaf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uctmXNYc-dk/UjscAQd7M7I/AAAAAAAAbtw/0ql9tHxisxQ/s320/test+leaf2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do leaves conduct?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0_DkatJzk/Ujsb_jK-8WI/AAAAAAAAbtk/MAlwToSN8J8/s1600/no+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0_DkatJzk/Ujsb_jK-8WI/AAAAAAAAbtk/MAlwToSN8J8/s320/no+light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvu9hHecdCk/Ujsb9YGRdaI/AAAAAAAAbtU/e3QPSODTwRY/s1600/foil+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvu9hHecdCk/Ujsb9YGRdaI/AAAAAAAAbtU/e3QPSODTwRY/s320/foil+again.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But aluminum foil does!</td></tr>
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Next session: Testing rocks and minerals for hardness, streak, etc. By the time we are done, identifying rocks and minerals will be a simple, practical exercise.<br />
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<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-35904775870830259122013-09-12T21:15:00.001-04:002013-09-12T21:16:20.424-04:00The Way InI'm currently reading <a href="http://amzn.to/1aU0KxZ" target="_blank">Waiting for Aphrodite</a> by Sue Hubbell, which details the life histories of some invertebrates, but not always the ones I was expecting--the author lives in coastal Maine, but few of her chosen inverts are marine. It's quite an enjoyable tour of the phyla, though Hubbell can't resist the cliched digressive passage about evolution, where she recounts verbally thrashing an open-minded teen (!) who is (or was...) interested in the many facets of the evolution discussion. But the experienced reader of natural history can take or leave those few paragraphs, and still enjoy the excellent narrative provided by an author who enjoys observing the organisms around her. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQOcIMs5Z9I/UjJhmb3DAjI/AAAAAAAAbn8/IhWO19H13_g/s1600/spidey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQOcIMs5Z9I/UjJhmb3DAjI/AAAAAAAAbn8/IhWO19H13_g/s320/spidey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orb-weaver--primitive, but pretty!</td></tr>
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After photographing a lovely orb-weaver the other night, and shunning the ragged work of the funnel-weavers, which resemble little more than cob-webs in a corner, I read the bit about spiders in Hubbell's book, and was intrigued by the notion that orb-weavers, despite the beauty and order of their webs, are actually (or, rather, theoretically) the more primitive arachnids of the two groups. So I went hunting for the funnel-weavers in my brush pile, and tried to see the beauty in their messy webs. Getting a closer look, it seems, is the key. They may not be as beautiful, but it seems to me that they are very efficient and strong--a good plan for a predator that lives by trapping prey in a net.<br />
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Here are some photos of the many funnel webs in my brush pile. (Do you have a brush pile? It's a great way to<a href="http://amzn.to/1aG9UPi" target="_blank"> attract wildlife</a>!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcpZF3yAygI/UjJdhgRBu6I/AAAAAAAAbnQ/SYYOGvbYiEo/s1600/big+drops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcpZF3yAygI/UjJdhgRBu6I/AAAAAAAAbnQ/SYYOGvbYiEo/s320/big+drops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collects more rainwater than an orb...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Uqmf2V_HKE/UjJdfRavQ0I/AAAAAAAAbnI/BBGnZrFxD2k/s1600/dew+on+orb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Uqmf2V_HKE/UjJdfRavQ0I/AAAAAAAAbnI/BBGnZrFxD2k/s320/dew+on+orb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is more densely built...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt9SzKx2Oj0/UjJdpmMxbkI/AAAAAAAAbnY/gHSNNEC_dRc/s1600/funnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt9SzKx2Oj0/UjJdpmMxbkI/AAAAAAAAbnY/gHSNNEC_dRc/s320/funnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Is attached to everything nearby...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvPMI4dIn8/UjJklGp7PzI/AAAAAAAAboI/giYZuIHhKZA/s1600/intricate!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvPMI4dIn8/UjJklGp7PzI/AAAAAAAAboI/giYZuIHhKZA/s320/intricate!.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's more like a sheet than a web, and even catches dusty droppings from a wood-boring beetle.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZv4mciKa7g/UjJdsPnQ3gI/AAAAAAAAbng/_Vk0PezWMp8/s1600/orbweaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZv4mciKa7g/UjJdsPnQ3gI/AAAAAAAAbng/_Vk0PezWMp8/s320/orbweaver.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello funnel-weaver! (<i>Agelanopsis</i>) Look carefully to the left and see the funnel it has begun to weave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wX46qQpi78E/UjJdsJakjxI/AAAAAAAAbnk/bWLit5FJ05A/s1600/the+way+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wX46qQpi78E/UjJdsJakjxI/AAAAAAAAbnk/bWLit5FJ05A/s320/the+way+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to my parlor...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Can't get enough spiders? <a href="http://amzn.to/13TFlR7" target="_blank">Check out some books and field guides</a>.</span></td></tr>
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MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-76267962248172346822013-09-11T20:14:00.001-04:002013-09-11T20:14:29.545-04:00Properties of MatterMore about my new career as a "teacher" later. Ha!<br />
<br />
A fine class of young geologists began their lab work today. Here are some highlights from the first lab, wherein we examine the Properties of Matter:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3FRXlwGyxo/UjD3C3tj3tI/AAAAAAAAbmc/gSYDFOoTaDw/s1600/27-geo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3FRXlwGyxo/UjD3C3tj3tI/AAAAAAAAbmc/gSYDFOoTaDw/s320/27-geo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes writing up a lab report.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMk4rl4wqwk/UjD3CGexzpI/AAAAAAAAbmQ/xoJCakx79Ro/s1600/28-geol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMk4rl4wqwk/UjD3CGexzpI/AAAAAAAAbmQ/xoJCakx79Ro/s320/28-geol2.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes examining the specimens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBsG2y063vY/UjD3CxdvNOI/AAAAAAAAbmk/6OG5gAv3E0o/s1600/30-geol3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBsG2y063vY/UjD3CxdvNOI/AAAAAAAAbmk/6OG5gAv3E0o/s320/30-geol3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometime drawing the sample.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqgisekc_aY/UjD3C1pOfsI/AAAAAAAAbmY/5vGqaihscVA/s1600/31-geol5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqgisekc_aY/UjD3C1pOfsI/AAAAAAAAbmY/5vGqaihscVA/s320/31-geol5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the equipment list.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRHC0nSzUUY/UjD3D9aPqkI/AAAAAAAAbmw/9-yrj95CGqA/s1600/32-geol7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRHC0nSzUUY/UjD3D9aPqkI/AAAAAAAAbmw/9-yrj95CGqA/s320/32-geol7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing specimens for assays.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLP7QX9X878/UjD3EPXQK5I/AAAAAAAAbm0/ZVxbmYN0Ivo/s1600/33-geol4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLP7QX9X878/UjD3EPXQK5I/AAAAAAAAbm0/ZVxbmYN0Ivo/s320/33-geol4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HCl! Our favorite acid!</td></tr>
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Recommended books for geology:<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/19aAuyi" target="_blank">The Practical Geologist</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/14IjGfv" target="_blank">Seashell on the Mountaintop</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/16lAY2e" target="_blank">Field guides</a><br />
Equipment:<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1eFtRFc" target="_blank">Rock pick</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1d6Iyzo" target="_blank">Specimen bag</a><br />
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Have fun!MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-10080590942187114222013-09-06T12:24:00.000-04:002013-09-11T20:14:58.833-04:00Pests and Pollinators <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the garden! It's 61 degrees, and the mosquitoes have given up trying this morning. But for those insects who like the brisk weather, the Jerusalem artichokes have bloomed, and are waiting. Native plants attract native pollinators? Maybe. Let's take a closer look.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emcaDCpvnV0/Uin1qoIHoYI/AAAAAAAAbeI/yFTAGT74Dt8/s1600/morning+ja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emcaDCpvnV0/Uin1qoIHoYI/AAAAAAAAbeI/yFTAGT74Dt8/s320/morning+ja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The humble native Jerusalem artichoke, not an artichoke at all, but a tasty tuber with a tall, yellow flower, is inviting visitors by pretending to be one large bloom. Click on the photo to admire the multitude of tiny true flowers awaiting visitors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U02NTkenfAA/Uin1qcuisjI/AAAAAAAAbd8/qi75qhRDc-4/s1600/from+the+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U02NTkenfAA/Uin1qcuisjI/AAAAAAAAbd8/qi75qhRDc-4/s320/from+the+front.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: -webkit-left;">What is this? A bee? No! It's the transverse flower fly, <i>Eristalis transversa, </i>collecting pollen.<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GG53lXkaOe0/Uin1oz59fII/AAAAAAAAbdk/zBLYke97j_4/s1600/bee+or+fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GG53lXkaOe0/Uin1oz59fII/AAAAAAAAbdk/zBLYke97j_4/s320/bee+or+fly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fruit fly has landed nearby for perspective. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1LOcrNySyo/Uin1qxMffuI/AAAAAAAAbeA/LC47NiqCSRU/s1600/pollen+in+eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1LOcrNySyo/Uin1qxMffuI/AAAAAAAAbeA/LC47NiqCSRU/s320/pollen+in+eye.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMTn3_drJg4/Uin1ohAT3BI/AAAAAAAAbdY/jWMJVaWx2qc/s1600/bumble+also+on+ja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMTn3_drJg4/Uin1ohAT3BI/AAAAAAAAbdY/jWMJVaWx2qc/s320/bumble+also+on+ja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumble.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0D7yhnqoknk/Uin1oTA6PhI/AAAAAAAAbdU/52CnIHA7mS8/s1600/bumble+ja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0D7yhnqoknk/Uin1oTA6PhI/AAAAAAAAbdU/52CnIHA7mS8/s320/bumble+ja.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumble bees are a common visitor to the Jerusalem artichokes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JffwJ8FJv4/Uin1pmJvHJI/AAAAAAAAbds/VnnY_Ngrozw/s1600/cricket+on+ja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JffwJ8FJv4/Uin1pmJvHJI/AAAAAAAAbds/VnnY_Ngrozw/s320/cricket+on+ja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crickets? I guess so.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smaller pollinator--a hoverfly?</td></tr>
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I actually got a photo of it hovering, but it was too blurry to use to identify the creature.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rPljdoRHbU/Uin1r33v9MI/AAAAAAAAbeU/tk7OE3wL2F8/s1600/unident+on+ja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rPljdoRHbU/Uin1r33v9MI/AAAAAAAAbeU/tk7OE3wL2F8/s320/unident+on+ja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhagoletis completa? </i>The walnut husk fly. Probably taking a break from the walnuts on the other side of the yard. That would make it a European invader. Pretty pest.</td></tr>
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I'm reading <a href="http://amzn.to/1aU0KxZ" target="_blank">Waiting for Aphrodite</a> right now, and the author has some interesting things to say about native pollinators.<br />
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For the younger crowd, try these:<br />
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<a href="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=macbethsopinion" target="_blank">The Bee Tree</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/15EJBY0" target="_blank">The Life and Times of the Honeybee</a><br />
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And a family project: <a href="http://amzn.to/1dMY06M" target="_blank">Attracting Native Pollinators</a><br />
Or why not install a <a href="http://amzn.to/19pFJYf" target="_blank">mason bee lodge</a>?MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-32781365584717617922013-08-16T15:24:00.001-04:002013-08-16T15:25:43.420-04:00Swamp Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know I have spoken many times about revisiting the same wild area again and again, in different seasons, and over years to see the remarkable changes wrought by nature. We revisited an area we have been to several times, though the group had never been there together as a group in the same season. My <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2011/09/autumn-originally-from-macbeths-opinion.html" target="_blank">autumn page</a> has photos from our first visit, in 2005. Since then, many of us have ventured into the murky mire. We also had a fruitful <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2011/10/deeper-nature-study-stalking-bacteria.html" target="_blank">bacteria hunt</a> one fall in this very swamp.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=shu+swamp+map&ie=UTF8&hq=shu+swamp&hnear=Franklin+Square,+Nassau,+New+York&t=h&ll=40.878737,-73.567886&spn=0.045427,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /></div>
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<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=shu+swamp+map&ie=UTF8&hq=shu+swamp&hnear=Franklin+Square,+Nassau,+New+York&t=h&ll=40.878737,-73.567886&spn=0.045427,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Our hike took place in Shu Swamp (Paul lost a shoe in Shu Swamp once...), a small patch of freshwater wetland on the north shore of Long Island. It's only about 65 acres, and has a fine flat 2.5 miles of trails. This is a very easy hike for all ages, but is not stroller-friendly due to muddy patches and the occasional narrow trail lined with poison ivy. But we intrepid homeschool moms who readily bring babies on our backs will have no problem...just watch their little faces for fear of catbriar and branches, and all is well.<br />
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The swamp is a favorite place for children of all ages, and despite the very swampiness of the preserve, it is not a terribly mosquito-ridden hike. I saw two mosquitoes trying to bite my students, but a gentle swat on the intelligent pate of each child removed the threat efficiently. Beyond mosquitoes, the patch of land is very much alive with critters more benign. Moths and dragon flies--red ones and blue ones--caught our eye immediately. We heard the call of the catbird, and saw a swan gliding over the glassy water of the open pond. We smelled a fox...or perhaps an otter, as there are otter here...or so we are told. (You see, in the woods, <a href="http://macbethsopinion.blogspot.com/2013/08/talking-to-strangers-good-thing.html" target="_blank">talking to strangers</a> sometimes pays off--with information.) We saw the resident HUGE carp, and plenty of water-striders and more. When one young man called out, "Trout!" an osprey appeared and circled as if waiting for a cue. There were spider webs to rival Mirkwood, but the spiders were small.<br />
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I gave each naturalist-in-training a very basic data sheet (email me if you want a copy), and after a brief overview, off we went.<br />
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Some highlights:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE3weLabdnA/Ug1ev2AxCYI/AAAAAAAAZ2c/pOIB0KWHCgM/s1600/IMG_20130815_145054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE3weLabdnA/Ug1ev2AxCYI/AAAAAAAAZ2c/pOIB0KWHCgM/s320/IMG_20130815_145054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denizens of the (12 inches) deep--large mouthed bass?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young naturalists compare notes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a closer look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the swampy temperature, which requires crossing a fallen tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the tree-bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another bridge-crosser.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We call him "Kneel" today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of an old tree--most of the class would fit in its hollow trunk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many trees fell last fall. The base of this one was about 13 feet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "class" poses next to a sign noting the <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mill-neck-tulip-tree-could-be-ny-s-tallest-1.3768836" target="_blank">tallest tree in NY State</a>, at 167 ft.</td></tr>
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That's what we did in the middle of August. What have you done? Did you get out?<br />
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-60440222503689369302013-08-16T15:24:00.000-04:002013-08-16T15:26:13.399-04:00Talking to Strangers (a good thing)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's true. I talk to strangers. <i>All the time</i>. And that's funny, because I am not at all outgoing. But I have learned that sometimes a stranger can tell you things about himself or about a place that will fascinate and enlighten. Most of my friends were former strangers. That includes my husband. Think about it.</div>
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We warn our children not to talk to strangers, and I even recall a song or maybe a PSA about stranger danger when I was a kid. There are<a href="http://amzn.to/13r1JDt" target="_blank"> books</a> to teach children about strangers. But we'd pick up hitchhikers (before it became illegal; or while in Canada or Mexico), or chat with strangers in the park along with my parents. That is they key...with parents. When so many children are placed in institutionalized schools with perfect strangers for teachers (think about that...the only assurance you have that a teacher is not a complete lunatic is the state's guarantee, based on subjective testing), a blanket admonition about strangers is a necessity. Without the intuition of a parent to help a child discern in his tender years, his fear of strangers is extended beyond the normal range. </div>
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Which leads me to this...The group I took to Shu Swamp yesterday was lucky to encounter the best kind of stranger you can meet in the woods (unless you are lost...): a biologist engaged in research. While I was giving my basic pre-hike talk, Prof. Peter Daniel of Hofstra University stepped in and told the kids his fish story. He had been tracking a trout using radio tagging technology. He told us how he had tagged a trout a while back (assuring us he had used anesthesia), and was following the signal, but found a large mouth bass where he expected the trout to be! Interesting, but not a nice end for the poor trout. You can find out more about helping local trout <a href="http://adoptatrout.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. You can read more about Dr. Daniel's research <a href="http://thesmithtownnews.northshorenewsgroup.com/06142013/students-on-trout-tracking-excursion" target="_blank">here</a>. Learn to cook trout <a href="http://amzn.to/19ytLQ8" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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He then took out a small radio tracking device and let the students hold it while he demonstrated the directional radio tracking equipment. Impressive, and way better than seeing it on TV. </div>
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Later in the day, I picked up one of my own children who had taken a train to meet me. While she was waiting, she told me, she encountered a perfect stranger, and enjoyed speaking with him to pass the time. He was an older British gentleman who was involved in the recording industry in Nashville. With music and Tennessee in common, they hit it off. No, not strange at all.MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5403457229306774319.post-41850642797058649432013-08-05T11:15:00.001-04:002013-08-05T11:15:22.141-04:00Just for Fun--Caption This?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xi98ptEb0YQ/Uf-0ZpVacvI/AAAAAAAAZ1A/qezzbBcOTRM/s1600/boyswade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xi98ptEb0YQ/Uf-0ZpVacvI/AAAAAAAAZ1A/qezzbBcOTRM/s320/boyswade.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />MacBeth Derhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10412194989845229808noreply@blogger.com2