17 Aug

 

 

17 Aug

Weather Expectations Week 34  Day 229    Flag Today  77°/68°                            

Wind 6 mph Gusts 7 mph

Risk of fire: High   Active Fire: 64 miles away

Nearest Lightning: 246 miles away Humidity:  26%

Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Partly Cloudy Breezy

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51° 9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

Baby Boomer's Recognition Day Link 
Black Cat Appreciation Day Link   Link
I Love My Feet Day
Meaning of "Is" Day
National Nonprofit Day  Link
National Thrift Shop Day Link 

Weekly Observances:

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: 12-9/7 Link 

World Photography Week: 12-26 Link

Great American Stamp Days: 14-17

National Aviation Week: 16-22

Bullying No Way Week: 17-21 Link

Fresh Quotation:

 

Today’s Reflection:

It a nice quiet day. I’m enjoying it a lot.

My kidney doc noted that my Vitamin D level was low. So she prescribed a once-a-week high dose capsule. I’m still waiting for it. Walgreens said it is not covered by insurance since it is OTC. The level she prescribed is not available anywhere in Flag. It should be here Monday. Walgreens doesn’t usually have this kind of problem.

Every day I feel better and do more walking. It’s all good.

I talked to my brother as he was headed to the airport to pick up his wife after a quick business trip to Mexico. Monsoon rain fell yesterday over there. He said it rained for 4+ hours. Richard and the  ground crew planted some plants and sod before the much appreciated rain. Nice! 

Historical events

17 Aug History Video

Cool to know:

The longest wedding veil was longer than 63 football fields.

If you thought Meghan Markle's wedding veil was long, get this: there's a woman in Cyprus who set the Guinness World Record for the longest wedding veil. How long was it, you ask? Nearly 23,000 feet, which is the same length as about 63.5 football fields.

Wild Animals of AZ:

One of the more unique Arizona wildlife species to frequent the parks are the collared peccary, more commonly known as javelina. These odorous pig-like creatures are always fun to watch and usually provide ample time to snap a few photos. Watching the social hierarchy within a herd can prove very entertaining as they communicate both verbally, with grunts, pops, and squeals, and through the use of body language. Keep an eye out for javelina at Catalina, Dead Horse, Lost Dutchman, Patagonia, Red Rock, and Slide Rock state parks, and then share your photos to our social networks. 

Javelina in Arizona’s state parks are relatively easy to approach for photo opportunities, or simply satisfy curiosity, because their eyesight is rated as generally poor. Please keep a safe distance however when enjoying the javelina to avoid any unwanted aggression. 

 

Picture of the Day:

This is a picture of what Las Vegas looked like in the 1800s

 

Harper’s Index from Funny Times:

Portyion of incoming UC San Diego freshman taking a placement test last hear who failed to solve: 7+2=x+6” 1/4

Who failed to round 374,518 to the nearest hundred: 3/5

Today’s Birthdays:

Phoebe Bridgers Pop Singer 32 years old

Birthplace Pasadena, CA

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Robert De Niro Movie Actor 83 years old

Birthplace New York City, NY

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Davy Crockett War Hero [1786-1836] @49 at the Alamo

Birthplace Tennessee

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Sean Penn Movie Actor 66 years old

Birthplace Los Angeles, CA

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Donnie Wahlberg Movie Actor 57 years old

Birthplace Boston, MA

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That’s All for Now

16 Aug

 

 

16 Aug

Weather Expectations Week 34  Day 228   Flag Today  76°/57°                            

Wind 6 mph Gusts 7 mph

Risk of fire: High    Active Fire: 64 miles away

Nearest Lightning: 13 miles away Humidity:  37%

Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Mostly Cloudy Breezy

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51° 9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

Joe Miller's Joke Day
National Airborne Day
National Energy Multiplier Day Link
National Rollercoaster Day
Surveillance Day Link  Link
World Helicopter Day Link 

Weekly Observances:

Sturgis Rally: 7-16 Link 
Elvis Week: 8-16 Link
Assistance Dog Week: 9-15
National Resurrect Romance Week: 9-15
Weird Contest Week: 9-15 
National Bargain Hunting Week: 9-15

Safe + Sound Week: 10-16 Link
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: 12-9/7 Link 

World Photography Week: 12-26 Link

National Hobo Week: 13-16 Link

Great American Stamp Days: 14-17

Fresh Quotation:

 

Today’s Reflection:

A nice quiet Saturday. I changed my linens this morning and took out some trash. My grocery order arrived and is all put away. A great weekend.

Broncos beat the Falcons, even after LB Bailey broke his leg. He’ll be out for much of the season after surgery. Tough.

The crew on the USS Abraham Lincoln are sure in the news. It is a tough story to hear. Remember, the military on board are all from volunteers. This is not what they expected or signed up for. After 250+ days at sea with no getting off the ship holding 5000+ military must be extremely hard. Too bad spin is more important than mental state and physical state of these military.

I have a movie channel in my package. It shows black and white movies from the 1930’s through the 1960’s. I watched On the Waterfront, several Basil Rathbone  Sherlock Holmes, the Thin Man movies, and more. They are very enjoyable for sure.  

Historical events

16 Aug History video

Cool to know:

The lyrebird can mimic almost any sounds it hears — including chainsaws.

Wildlife watchers have recorded the Australian species copying not only other birds but other animals, like koalas, and artificial sounds such as car alarms and camera shutters.

 

Wild Animals of AZ:

Coyotes can be found statewide and occur in nearly every natural Arizona state park. Their nocturnal habits make it difficult to catch a glimpse at times, but occasionally, when they're in the midst of a hunt, can be seen looking for their next meal during daylight hours. Catalina, Lost Dutchman, Red Rock, and River Island state parks report several sightings each year and are a great place to see the quintessential desert dog in its natural habitat.

Coyotes are great hunters and really keep the rodent populations of your state parks in check. They have been known to take larger prey species, although small mammals, reptiles and birds are typically within their preferred diet. Arizona’s coyotes come in a variety of colors depending on where they live. Various shades of tan, brown, gray, and red coyotes have been spotted in the parks, although most individuals seem to have a variety of colors throughout their coats.

 

Picture of the Day:

A lucky photographer knows the feeling of pure serendipity. Sometimes, it’s being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, the creation process is unexpected but yields a rewarding result. Other times, something completely accidental ends up elevating an image to new heights. And thus, this week’s Photo of the Day theme is all about happenstance. 

 

Harper’s Index from Funny Times:

Percentage of American males aged 16-24 who are neither employed, in school, nor in job training: 12

Average number of hours that such a male spends sleeping: 16

Of waking hours that are spent alone: 8

Today’s Birthdays:

Madonna Pop Singer 68d years old

Birthplace Bay City, MI

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Steve Carell TV Actor 64 years old

Birthplace Concord, MA

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Angela Bassett Movie Actress 68 years old

Birthplace New York City, NY

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Evanna Lynch Movie Actress 35 years old

Birthplace Termonfeckin, Ireland

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James Cameron Director 72 years old

Birthplace Kapuskasing, Canada

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Jannik Sinner Tennis Player 25 years old

Birthplace Italy

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Tim othy Hutton Movie Actor 66 years old

Birthplace Malibu, CA

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Rumer Willis Movie Actress 38 years old

Birthplace Paducah, KY

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Cam Gigandet Movie Actor 44 years old

Birthplace Tacoma, WA

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That’s All for Now

15 Aug

 

 

15 Aug

Weather Expectations Week 33  Day 227     Flag Today  72°/51°                            

Wind 18mph Gusts 21mph

Risk of fire: Low   Active Fire: 717 miles away

Nearest Lightning: 14 miles away Humidity: 46%

Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Partly Cloudy  Breezy 

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51° 9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

Banana Day: thru 16 Link
Best Friends Day
Chauvin Day
Check The Chip Day (Those Implanted in Pets)  Link
Chef Appreciation Day   Link  
Clear The Shelters Day
Green Data Day
National Honey Bee Day Link 
International Geocaching Day
International Homeless Animals Day 
National Leathercraft Day  Link
National Relaxation Day

Weekly Observances:

Sturgis Rally: 7-16 Link 
Elvis Week: 8-16 Link
Assistance Dog Week: 9-15
National Resurrect Romance Week: 9-15
Weird Contest Week: 9-15 
National Bargain Hunting Week: 9-15

World Karaoke Championships: 10-13 Link
Safe + Sound Week: 10-16 Link
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: 12-9/7 Link 

World Photography Week: 12-26 Link

National Hobo Week: 13-16 Link

Great American Stamp Days: 14-17

Fresh Quotation:

 

Today’s Reflection:

 Another good weather day.  Weather guy says the monsoon will be disappearing soon. I’ve sure enjoyed these daily rains.

This morning I headed out for a much needed pedicure. Another upside to my recent medical situation: I’ve been getting regular pedicures for over a decade. The only problem is when they start to massage my feet, I am extremely ticklish. I always must tell her as my foot starts pulling away. Today, I was not the least bit ticklish and had a great foot massage. A nice change for sure.

Last night the AZ Cardinals beat the LV Raiders in a decent preseason game. Tonight it will be the Broncos v Falcons. Hoping for  great game.

Today is Code Talker’s Day. Thanks for your service.

Mangione, the guy who killed the CEO of a Healthcare Insurance Company pleaded guilty. He is hoping that the Federal prison will be better for him that a state prison and that his sentence will be shorter because the case is about stalking, whereas the state case is 2^nd degree murder and can’t be pursued due to a NY law about double jeopardy. Nobody will know until December when he is sentenced.

I very much enjoy my twice daily conversations with my brother since my medical situation. This morning when I called, he was still in bed.  It was 8:30 his time. Laura had an early flight to Mexico City and he was up about 3:30 to see her off before returning to bed. He was glad I called and got him up as he has a bus day ahead. I told him that was what a good big brother does. 

Historical events

15 Aug History Video

Cool to know:

Four times more people speak English as a second language than as a native one.

While more people speak English as a second language, nearly three times more people speak Mandarin Chinese natively.
English has nearly two billion people learning it as a second language and only 350 million people speaking it natively.

Today in Science:

Around 56 million years ago, a sharp rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere led to severe global warming that transformed the planet’s surface. A detailed reconstruction of an ancient ecosystem suggests that this transformation included a widespread decline in forest cover. The study¹, published in Science on 13 August, has parallels for what could happen as a result of human-driven climate change, say the authors.

“We’re seeing that now all over the world. Many forests are in states of decline,” says co-author Regan Dunn, a palaeoclimatogist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in California.

This sudden warming event, called the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), was one of the most notable climatic upheavals in Earth’s history. The volume of CO₂ released during that period is thought to be roughly equivalent to the total human emissions that would be released by the end of the twenty-first century under a pessimistic scenario. The ancient surge of CO₂ raised global average temperatures by between 5 and 9 °C, changing the climate for more than 150,000 years.

Using fossils, sediments and other geochemical evidence preserved from this time, researchers have begun to piece together a picture of abrupt changes to Earth’s ecosystems that took place in response to this warming. The make-up of forests changed, with broad-leafed trees in the mid-latitudes giving way to landscapes dominated by ferns. Rivers supercharged by a water-logged atmosphere carried away more sediment. Soils stored less carbon.

Dunn and her colleagues sought to get a clearer view of how these shifts changed the structure of forest canopies. This can reveal information about changes in carbon storage in ecosystems, says Dunn. “It’s really telling you something about how the forest is functioning.”

The ancient analysis was aimed at shedding light on a question ecologists have today: how will Earth’s ecosystems respond to rising levels of CO₂? Higher concentrations of the greenhouse gas trap more heat, boosting temperatures and shifting patterns of precipitation in ways that can stress plants. However, more CO₂ also acts to fertilize plants, and there’s wide uncertainty about how these opposing forces will affect forests of the future.

 

Picture of the Day:

Martin Lewis is the winner of the Our Moon category with a stunning detail image featuring Plato’s East Rim. The stark lighting and heavy shadow add an element of mystery to an otherwise well-known fixture of space.

“This close-up of the Plato crater has become one of my favorite photographs of the Moon. This image of the east rim being hit by the Sun’s rays is wondrously unique and proves that, no matter how often we look at the Moon, it always has many more wonderful sights for us to observe,” says judge Brobby. 

 

Harper’s Index from Funny Times:

Portion of 16-year-old American boys who have gambled in the past year: 1/2

Of 11 year-old boys who have: 1/3

Today’s Birthdays:

Jennifer Lawrence Movie Actress 36 years old

Birthplace Indian Hills, KY

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Joe Jonas Pop Singer 37 years old

Birthplace Casa Grande, AZ

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Ben Affleck Movie Actor 54 years old

Birthplace Berkeley, CA

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Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor [1789-1821]  @51 Stomach cancer or arsenic

Birthplace Ajaccio, France

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Anthony Anderson TV Actor 56 years old

Birthplace Compton, CA

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Anne, Princess Royal Princess 76 years old

Birthplace England

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Debra Messing TV Actress 58 years old

Birthplace Brooklyn, NY

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Julia Child Chef [1912-2004] @91

Birthplace Pasadena, CA

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That’s All for Now