Author Archives: hedera
Placebo
I’m fascinated by the way words change over time. I’ve seen several scientific reports lately on the use and effectiveness of “placebo” drugs – a scientific term for a sugar pill, or more formally an inert substance given instead of … Continue reading
Posted in Etymology
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Something from Nothing
I was just listening to Ira Flatow’s interview with Laurence Krauss, author of A Universe from Nothing, on Science Friday. They were discussing the theme of Krauss’ book, which is, why does matter exist, instead of nothing. I’ve heard and read … Continue reading
The List
Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve (how did that happen??), which means every time I turn around I am surrounded by suggestions for my list of New Year’s Resolutions. I got one this morning from my gym, with a list of goals … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
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The Mourners
As a life-long student of the Middle Ages, when the Palace of the Legion of Honor announced a showing of sculptures from the tomb of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy (1371–1419), I knew I had to go see it. … Continue reading
Birds in the Tree
I didn’t get any photos because I was indoors riding the exercise bike. I noticed a commotion in the Chinese hackberry tree that inhabits the parking strip – since the exercise bike is on the second floor, I was looking … Continue reading
The Halloween Parade
One of the unexpected pleasures of living on our street is that, every year around Halloween, the entire population of the elementary school, half a block away, dresses up in costume and parades up one side of the street and back … Continue reading
New Header and Other Things
I got tired of WordPress’ ice forest. I hope you like the new header photo, I took it this summer. It’s sunset over the Georgia Strait, viewed from our B&B just outside of Lund, B.C. We had an episode of … Continue reading
Posted in Nature, Photography, Vacations
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It’s Spider Time Again
Autumn is when the spiders come out. Last October I got some nice photos of dew-spangled webs all over the yard. This year I walked out the back door and found this handsome fellow (in both senses!) stringing a web … Continue reading
Odd Week in Las Vegas
My sister has lived in Las Vegas for the last 20 years or so. (A long way from The Strip, I may add; we neither of us gamble; she’s a desert rat, and so is her husband.) She currently can’t … Continue reading
FireFox 6 – Don’t!
If you are one of the fortunate people who is still using FireFox 5, or possibly still using FireFox 3.6.x – ignore the repeated requests to upgrade to FireFox 6! Stay put. FireFox 5 was a perfectly stable platform. FireFox … Continue reading
