Did you ever stop and think that some of today's music just doesn't sound right? I certainly have. I think we tend to stick with the music that we were familiar with when we were growing up. These guys had a different way to look at it, when they created this monstrosity.
In 1997, two composers created ‘The Most Unwanted Song’ by issuing a public opinion survey and compiling all the lyrical and musical elements that most people found annoying.
It combines a harp, accordion, out-of-tune children singing about Christmas and Walmart, high-pitched flutes, tubas, keyboard demos, someone yelling random political terms through a megaphone, and an operatic soprano rapping over cowboy music, bagpipes, and screams.
It’s 22 minutes long.
If you want to hear this little ditty, you can do so right here.
Coffee in the kitchen this morning.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Pretty Good Disguise...!
Mother Nature has a way to keep some of her critters safe from predators by helping them with a terrific disguise. Such is the case even for some spiders like this one from Listverse.
Spiders are so amazing they have a popular fictional superhero named after them. The ladybird (aka ladybug) is special, too. It does not have its own superhero, but it does have real spiders named after it. These spiders belong to the genus Paraplectana. They are a group of spiders that have evolved to look like like ladybirds.The mimicry is necessary, considering that many predatory birds avoid ladybirds.
This is because ladybirds contain toxic chemicals that emit a terrible odor when crushed and leave a nasty, lingering taste in the mouth of the bird. This had made many birds develop a strong distaste for the ladybird. Aside from spiders, a few other insects, like the ladybird-mimic fungus beetle, have also evolved to look like ladybirds.
I like ladybugs, but not to eat, of course. I didn't know that birds found them to taste bad, though. Spiders...not so much.
Coffee inside this morning.Gonna rain again, they say.
Ladybirds And Ladybird Spiders
Photo credit: LiCheng Shih
Spiders are so amazing they have a popular fictional superhero named after them. The ladybird (aka ladybug) is special, too. It does not have its own superhero, but it does have real spiders named after it. These spiders belong to the genus Paraplectana. They are a group of spiders that have evolved to look like like ladybirds.The mimicry is necessary, considering that many predatory birds avoid ladybirds.
This is because ladybirds contain toxic chemicals that emit a terrible odor when crushed and leave a nasty, lingering taste in the mouth of the bird. This had made many birds develop a strong distaste for the ladybird. Aside from spiders, a few other insects, like the ladybird-mimic fungus beetle, have also evolved to look like ladybirds.
I like ladybugs, but not to eat, of course. I didn't know that birds found them to taste bad, though. Spiders...not so much.
Coffee inside this morning.Gonna rain again, they say.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Another Woman Dead-Eye Shooter...!
Did you know that Annie Oakley had some serious competition? Well, she did...and her name was Lillian Smith. Here is her story.
Lillian Frances Smith was another trick shooter who joined Buffalo Bill's show when she was just 15 years old. She became known as the "the champion California huntress" as well as the rival of Annie Oakley. The two were initially not on good terms. After a bad performance against Oakley in front of Queen Victoria, Smith received negative press and eventually decided to leave the show. After relocating to Oklahoma, she joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show and performed with other local shows like Pawnee Bill's. She continued to be a record-setting shooter until her death in 1930.
Sounds to me like Lillian did alright for herself in the long run. Wonder why we don't hear much about her, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio once again.
Lillian Smith
Lillian Frances Smith was another trick shooter who joined Buffalo Bill's show when she was just 15 years old. She became known as the "the champion California huntress" as well as the rival of Annie Oakley. The two were initially not on good terms. After a bad performance against Oakley in front of Queen Victoria, Smith received negative press and eventually decided to leave the show. After relocating to Oklahoma, she joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show and performed with other local shows like Pawnee Bill's. She continued to be a record-setting shooter until her death in 1930.
Sounds to me like Lillian did alright for herself in the long run. Wonder why we don't hear much about her, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio once again.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
A Little Weather Trivia...!
Here is something you may not know, but it just might come in handy someday. Never can tell!
There are a bunch of unusual ways you can track what's happening in the economy.
And one of the more popular informal measures is the so-called " The Waffle House Index" — an indicator that is actually unofficially used by FEMA.
Here's the gist of it: Waffle House restaurants notoriously stay open during natural disasters. So if the diner closes during an event, that suggests it was a really bad natural disaster with devastating effects on the economy. And on the flip side, if it stays open and serving a full menu, damage was relatively limited.
As a historical reference point: after 2011's Hurricane Irene, 22 Waffle Houses lost power in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Only one wasn't open by the Wednesday after the storm passed through — a particularly hard hit location in coastal Virginia.
"If you get [to a place where a disaster hit] and the Waffle House is closed? That's really bad," said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate back in 2011.
As of Friday, 8:01 a.m. ET, Waffle House's official twitter account tweeted that 25 restaurants had been closed across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina amid Hurricane Matthew.
It's always nice to know how some of these weather predictions get made, and I guess that now we have a better idea...right?
Coffee out on the patio again today!
There are a bunch of unusual ways you can track what's happening in the economy.
And one of the more popular informal measures is the so-called " The Waffle House Index" — an indicator that is actually unofficially used by FEMA.
Here's the gist of it: Waffle House restaurants notoriously stay open during natural disasters. So if the diner closes during an event, that suggests it was a really bad natural disaster with devastating effects on the economy. And on the flip side, if it stays open and serving a full menu, damage was relatively limited.
As a historical reference point: after 2011's Hurricane Irene, 22 Waffle Houses lost power in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Only one wasn't open by the Wednesday after the storm passed through — a particularly hard hit location in coastal Virginia.
"If you get [to a place where a disaster hit] and the Waffle House is closed? That's really bad," said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate back in 2011.
As of Friday, 8:01 a.m. ET, Waffle House's official twitter account tweeted that 25 restaurants had been closed across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina amid Hurricane Matthew.
It's always nice to know how some of these weather predictions get made, and I guess that now we have a better idea...right?
Coffee out on the patio again today!
Monday, August 26, 2019
A Machine Gun Mystery For Monday...!
Many times in the past and even today, folks just disappear for reasons known only to them. Here is one such story from Listverse.
William Cantelo (possibly pictured above) was the inventor of an early form of machine gun. Cantelo kept a laboratory in the basement of the pub he ran in Southampton, England, and neighbors would often hear sounds like rapid gunfire coming from below. Sometime in the 1880s, Cantelo told his sons he was going on a business trip to try to sell his new invention and was never seen again.
It was first assumed that Cantelo had met with an accident on his travels, until his sons saw a newspaper photograph of another inventor named Hiram Maxim. Maxim is credited with creating the Maxim Gun, a type of machine gun. And he bore an uncanny resemblance to William Cantelo.
Cantelo’s sons certainly believed that Maxim was their father and hired a private investigator to establish the truth, without success. There is also some evidence that Maxim visited Southampton and may have met Cantelo, if, indeed, he wasn’t Cantelo. Whatever the truth, Hiram Maxim died an extremely rich man, while William Cantelo’s sons inherited a pub with bullet holes all over the basement.
I'm thinking the old man just didn't want to share the money with his sons, changed his name, and disappeared. Seems logical to me, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio. Not supposed to rain today.
William Cantelo
Photo credit: Barry Cantelo
William Cantelo (possibly pictured above) was the inventor of an early form of machine gun. Cantelo kept a laboratory in the basement of the pub he ran in Southampton, England, and neighbors would often hear sounds like rapid gunfire coming from below. Sometime in the 1880s, Cantelo told his sons he was going on a business trip to try to sell his new invention and was never seen again.
It was first assumed that Cantelo had met with an accident on his travels, until his sons saw a newspaper photograph of another inventor named Hiram Maxim. Maxim is credited with creating the Maxim Gun, a type of machine gun. And he bore an uncanny resemblance to William Cantelo.
Cantelo’s sons certainly believed that Maxim was their father and hired a private investigator to establish the truth, without success. There is also some evidence that Maxim visited Southampton and may have met Cantelo, if, indeed, he wasn’t Cantelo. Whatever the truth, Hiram Maxim died an extremely rich man, while William Cantelo’s sons inherited a pub with bullet holes all over the basement.
I'm thinking the old man just didn't want to share the money with his sons, changed his name, and disappeared. Seems logical to me, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio. Not supposed to rain today.
Friday, August 23, 2019
A Chihuahua Snack For The Seagull...!
Anyone that has spent time on or around the coast knows that seagulls will eat nearly anything, given half a chance. They will steal food from your plate, even your camper. Worse yet, they love to snatch your bait if you are fishing. This report is a bit strange though, even for a seagull.
When they aren’t scavenging food from seaside picnickers, seagulls are generally predators, dining on crabs and small fish within close proximity of their rookeries. The seemingly fearless birds have even been known to attack passing whales, diving for a bite of live whale meat.
In July 2019, a family from Devon was distraught when a swooping seagull carried off their pet. Gizmo the Chihauhua was watching his owner hang out the laundry in the backyard when a seagull suddenly descended and carried off the small dog. Despite hopes that their pet may have been dropped when the gull realized it had snatched a dog, Gizmo has not been located.
Wildlife officers confirmed that this was bizarre behavior, even for seagulls.
Yep...I reckon ol' Gizmo is gone for good. Pretty healthy snack for a seagull, don't you think?
Coffee out on the patio until the rain starts.
Chihuahua Snatched By Seagull
When they aren’t scavenging food from seaside picnickers, seagulls are generally predators, dining on crabs and small fish within close proximity of their rookeries. The seemingly fearless birds have even been known to attack passing whales, diving for a bite of live whale meat.
In July 2019, a family from Devon was distraught when a swooping seagull carried off their pet. Gizmo the Chihauhua was watching his owner hang out the laundry in the backyard when a seagull suddenly descended and carried off the small dog. Despite hopes that their pet may have been dropped when the gull realized it had snatched a dog, Gizmo has not been located.
Wildlife officers confirmed that this was bizarre behavior, even for seagulls.
Yep...I reckon ol' Gizmo is gone for good. Pretty healthy snack for a seagull, don't you think?
Coffee out on the patio until the rain starts.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
How Did He Get Out...?
Did you ever think that there was something wrong with our legal system? It sure seems that way and has for quite some time. Here from Listverse is a case that you have to wonder about.
James Crittenton Lucas was a criminal who got sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbing the First National Bank in Albany, Texas. However, it wasn’t until he arrived at Alcatraz in 1935 that Lucas started gaining national notoriety.
Even though Lucas was only 22 years old, he became one of the prison’s most problematic inmates. He often caused trouble, got involved in a work strike, and, most notably, attempted to kill fellow inmate Al Capone in 1936. Lucas attacked the renowned mobster in the shower with a scissor half, dealing Capone superficial cuts to his hands and chest. Lucas later claimed this was due to Capone threatening to kill him.
Lucas made the headlines again in 1938, when he tried to escape from Alcatraz with two other inmates, Rufus Franklin and Thomas Limerick.The three men assaulted supervising guard Royal Cline and planned to overpower the tower guard as well. However, they failed to get the drop on Cline, and he shot both Limerick and Franklin. Officer Cline and Thomas Limerick died, while Lucas and Franklin received life sentences for murder.
Despite his new sentence, Lucas was still paroled in 1958 and became one of the few gangsters from the public enemy era to enjoy a long, happy life. He married, had four kids, found a law-abiding job, and lived until 1998.
I'm glad that the man finally turned his life around, but stii, I have to ask...how did this man ever get parole? Sure beats me!
BTW, sorry about yesterday and the "brain Fart" that made me miss posting.
Better have our coffee inside again, as it's supposed to rain.
James Lucas
The Man Who Tried To Kill Al Capone
Photo credit: US government
James Crittenton Lucas was a criminal who got sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbing the First National Bank in Albany, Texas. However, it wasn’t until he arrived at Alcatraz in 1935 that Lucas started gaining national notoriety.
Even though Lucas was only 22 years old, he became one of the prison’s most problematic inmates. He often caused trouble, got involved in a work strike, and, most notably, attempted to kill fellow inmate Al Capone in 1936. Lucas attacked the renowned mobster in the shower with a scissor half, dealing Capone superficial cuts to his hands and chest. Lucas later claimed this was due to Capone threatening to kill him.
Lucas made the headlines again in 1938, when he tried to escape from Alcatraz with two other inmates, Rufus Franklin and Thomas Limerick.The three men assaulted supervising guard Royal Cline and planned to overpower the tower guard as well. However, they failed to get the drop on Cline, and he shot both Limerick and Franklin. Officer Cline and Thomas Limerick died, while Lucas and Franklin received life sentences for murder.
Despite his new sentence, Lucas was still paroled in 1958 and became one of the few gangsters from the public enemy era to enjoy a long, happy life. He married, had four kids, found a law-abiding job, and lived until 1998.
I'm glad that the man finally turned his life around, but stii, I have to ask...how did this man ever get parole? Sure beats me!
BTW, sorry about yesterday and the "brain Fart" that made me miss posting.
Better have our coffee inside again, as it's supposed to rain.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Too Close To Home...!
Even in a big city such as Houston, strange things can happen. From Listverse here is such a case.
If you have ever seen the movie Poltergeist, you’re aware of the idea that building homes on top of cemeteries is probably a horrendous idea. However, that seemingly natural line of thinking apparently never occurred to the people who built a series of upscale homes in a neighborhood outside of Houston, Texas, and what unfolded sounds extremely similar to the movie, to the point where you would think it’s based entirely on this unsolved mystery.
Two families, including the Haney family, found themselves in the midst of what appeared to be a real live haunting after moving into the neighborhood, particularly when, like in Poltergeist, they began to dig a pool only to discover human corpses under the ground. The corpses belonged to former slaves, and soon enough the Haneys began to notice strange things happening on their property, including strange sounds and items mysteriously moving. Another family, the Williams family, also lived in the area and claimed that whenever they attempted to plant anything in the soil, it would almost immediately die. At one point Jean Williams attempted to dig in an effort to find a body to prove they were living over a gravesite, and after becoming ill her daughter took over. Her daughter promptly suffered a heart attack and within two days, she was dead.
See what I mean? Way too close to home for me.
Coffee inside the kitchen. It is gonna rain again.
Black Hope Curse
If you have ever seen the movie Poltergeist, you’re aware of the idea that building homes on top of cemeteries is probably a horrendous idea. However, that seemingly natural line of thinking apparently never occurred to the people who built a series of upscale homes in a neighborhood outside of Houston, Texas, and what unfolded sounds extremely similar to the movie, to the point where you would think it’s based entirely on this unsolved mystery.
Two families, including the Haney family, found themselves in the midst of what appeared to be a real live haunting after moving into the neighborhood, particularly when, like in Poltergeist, they began to dig a pool only to discover human corpses under the ground. The corpses belonged to former slaves, and soon enough the Haneys began to notice strange things happening on their property, including strange sounds and items mysteriously moving. Another family, the Williams family, also lived in the area and claimed that whenever they attempted to plant anything in the soil, it would almost immediately die. At one point Jean Williams attempted to dig in an effort to find a body to prove they were living over a gravesite, and after becoming ill her daughter took over. Her daughter promptly suffered a heart attack and within two days, she was dead.
See what I mean? Way too close to home for me.
Coffee inside the kitchen. It is gonna rain again.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Where Is Diane...?
Sometimes there are disappearances that make no sense to anyone. From Listverse, this is one of them.
On April 10, 1988, 40-year old Diane Augat left her residence in Odessa, Florida and mysteriously disappeared. Three days later, Diane’s mother received a message on her answering machine from a woman who sounded just like her daughter. She was saying “Help, help, let me out” and “Hey, gimme that” as the sounds of someone trying to grab the phone away could be heard in the background. The caller ID read “Starlight”, but there was no answer when Diane’s mother called the number back.
Things got really morbid on April 15 when the severed tip of Diane’s right middle finger was found in the area where she was last seen. Two weeks later, a bag containing her neatly folded clothing was discovered in a convenience store’s freezer. Two-and-a-half years after Diane went missing, a local paper published a story about her disappearance. The very next day, Diane’s brother’s girlfriend happened to discover a plastic bag in another convenience store. It had the name “Diane” written on it and contained items which may have belonged to her. In spite of these bizarre clues, no other trace of Diane Augat has ever been found.
Man, this mystery sure has a lot going on. So many side trips into the unexplained, it's hard to keep track of them all. This whole thing is strange to me.
Coffee out on the rain cooled patio this morning.
Diane Augat
On April 10, 1988, 40-year old Diane Augat left her residence in Odessa, Florida and mysteriously disappeared. Three days later, Diane’s mother received a message on her answering machine from a woman who sounded just like her daughter. She was saying “Help, help, let me out” and “Hey, gimme that” as the sounds of someone trying to grab the phone away could be heard in the background. The caller ID read “Starlight”, but there was no answer when Diane’s mother called the number back.
Things got really morbid on April 15 when the severed tip of Diane’s right middle finger was found in the area where she was last seen. Two weeks later, a bag containing her neatly folded clothing was discovered in a convenience store’s freezer. Two-and-a-half years after Diane went missing, a local paper published a story about her disappearance. The very next day, Diane’s brother’s girlfriend happened to discover a plastic bag in another convenience store. It had the name “Diane” written on it and contained items which may have belonged to her. In spite of these bizarre clues, no other trace of Diane Augat has ever been found.
Man, this mystery sure has a lot going on. So many side trips into the unexplained, it's hard to keep track of them all. This whole thing is strange to me.
Coffee out on the rain cooled patio this morning.
Friday, August 16, 2019
No Wonder I Like Bees...!
Ever wonder why the lowly bee is a favorite of so many folks? This article from Listverse might explain that.
You know that fiendish caffeine addiction that keeps swarms of humans buzzing in and out of cafes to get regular coffee fixes? It turns out that bees are also hooked on the stuff, too. Apparently, 55 percent of flowering plants produce caffeine in their nectar. Bees are more likely to go to the caffeinated nectar, and they get really excited over it.
In an experiment published in the journal Current Biology, researchers filled two containers with nectar and added caffeine to one of them. Bees that drank the caffeinated nectar were more likely to perform the waggle dance for other bees upon returning to the hive, which is essentially how they tell the others about the quality and location of the nectar they find.[10] The caffeinated nectar caused the bees to dance more vigorously, indicating that the quality of the nectar was better than it actually was.
This isn’t surprising, since a lot of us use caffeine to at least appear enthusiastic about work. The caffeine-producing plants are likely to attract lots of bees, since the bee visitors give them such glowing reviews, thus assuring that their pollen gets spread around.
I guess we have more in common with brother bee than we thought. The very thought kinda gives me a Buzz, ya know?
Coffee out on the rain cooled patio this morning. Watch out for the bee, OK?
Caffeinated Bees
You know that fiendish caffeine addiction that keeps swarms of humans buzzing in and out of cafes to get regular coffee fixes? It turns out that bees are also hooked on the stuff, too. Apparently, 55 percent of flowering plants produce caffeine in their nectar. Bees are more likely to go to the caffeinated nectar, and they get really excited over it.
In an experiment published in the journal Current Biology, researchers filled two containers with nectar and added caffeine to one of them. Bees that drank the caffeinated nectar were more likely to perform the waggle dance for other bees upon returning to the hive, which is essentially how they tell the others about the quality and location of the nectar they find.[10] The caffeinated nectar caused the bees to dance more vigorously, indicating that the quality of the nectar was better than it actually was.
This isn’t surprising, since a lot of us use caffeine to at least appear enthusiastic about work. The caffeine-producing plants are likely to attract lots of bees, since the bee visitors give them such glowing reviews, thus assuring that their pollen gets spread around.
I guess we have more in common with brother bee than we thought. The very thought kinda gives me a Buzz, ya know?
Coffee out on the rain cooled patio this morning. Watch out for the bee, OK?
Thursday, August 15, 2019
I Must Be Really Smart...!
According to a study, day dreamers have a better chance of being smarter than the rest of us. Here are the results explained by the folks at DidYouKnowFacts.com.
Studies of mental functions found that wandering minds are associated with creative thinking and more efficient brain activity. Researchers think day- dreamers can grasp concepts so quickly and easily that they can’t help getting lost in other thoughts once they understand what’s happening in their current environment.
Like I said, I must be really smart considering how much my mind wanders.
Coffee inside this morning.
Frequent daydreamers are likely to be more intelligent and creative.
Studies of mental functions found that wandering minds are associated with creative thinking and more efficient brain activity. Researchers think day- dreamers can grasp concepts so quickly and easily that they can’t help getting lost in other thoughts once they understand what’s happening in their current environment.
Like I said, I must be really smart considering how much my mind wanders.
Coffee inside this morning.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
History Of The Chuck Wagon...!
Something we should remember from the days of the Wild West and cattle drives...the old fashioned Chuck Wagon. This was a most important fixture on any trail drive, as I know you'll agree.
The invention of the American chuck wagon is credited to cattleman Charles Goodnight. In 1866, Charles needed a way to keep his drovers fed as they trailed cattle from Texas to the North. A true product of "necessity breeds creativity", Goodnight bolted a wooden box to the back of an Army Studebaker wagon and added compartments to store utensils, bedding, food, and more. The rest, they say, is history.
The term "chuck" is from 17th Century England used by meat merchants who referred to their lower priced goods. By the 18th Century, "chuck" was colloquial for good, heart-warming food. So it is no surprise that Goodnight's invention became known as a "chuck wagon". His simple creativity revolutionized the cattle industry and is now celebrated as the official vehicle of Texas.
We can all thank the chuck wagon for keeping all those cowboys happy and well fed while on the trail. Hey...everyone has to eat, right?
Coffee inside once again.
Invention of the Chuck Wagon
The invention of the American chuck wagon is credited to cattleman Charles Goodnight. In 1866, Charles needed a way to keep his drovers fed as they trailed cattle from Texas to the North. A true product of "necessity breeds creativity", Goodnight bolted a wooden box to the back of an Army Studebaker wagon and added compartments to store utensils, bedding, food, and more. The rest, they say, is history.
The term "chuck" is from 17th Century England used by meat merchants who referred to their lower priced goods. By the 18th Century, "chuck" was colloquial for good, heart-warming food. So it is no surprise that Goodnight's invention became known as a "chuck wagon". His simple creativity revolutionized the cattle industry and is now celebrated as the official vehicle of Texas.
We can all thank the chuck wagon for keeping all those cowboys happy and well fed while on the trail. Hey...everyone has to eat, right?
Coffee inside once again.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Some Strange Names For Mushrooms...!
You might not believe just how many strange names there are for certain mushrooms. I don't know who had the job of giving them all these unusual names, but it must have been quite a chore.
Turquoise Elfcup, Hairy Parachute, Cinnamon Jellybaby, Weeping Toothcrust, Witches’ Butter, Elbowpatch Crust, Hairy Nuts Disco, King Alfred’s Cakes, and Chicken of the Woods are all names of mushrooms.
You can read about plenty more names by going right here.
Coffee inside again today.
Turquoise Elfcup, Hairy Parachute, Cinnamon Jellybaby, Weeping Toothcrust, Witches’ Butter, Elbowpatch Crust, Hairy Nuts Disco, King Alfred’s Cakes, and Chicken of the Woods are all names of mushrooms.
You can read about plenty more names by going right here.
Coffee inside again today.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Raining Seeds On Monday Mystery...!
I'm sure by now, many of you have seen or heard of the many stories from all over about the falling "rain" of seed pods. Many of these seed pods are of different types of plants, which makes them all the more mysterious. Here is one of the stories from Listverse.
Roland Moody of Southampton, England, was startled to hear small, solid objects hitting the glass roof of the conservatory attached to his house. The objects turned out to be hundreds of seeds—small mustard seeds and cress seeds coated in a jelly-like substance. More seeds continued to fall during the day, eventually covering his garden. One of his neighbors, Mrs. Stockley, told Moody she’d had a similar experience the previous year.
The following day, Moody’s home was struck by corn, pea, and bean seeds that seemed to simply fall out of the sky. His neighbors on both sides were also pelted with peas and beans. Only those three houses in the neighborhood were targeted for the bizarre showers of seeds, and a police investigation was unable to pinpoint a source.
The phenomena gradually decreased and went away. By that time, Moody and his neighbors had endured twenty-five separate barrages and collected ten pounds of beans from their gardens. Moody himself gathered eight buckets of cress seeds. He claimed the produce grown from the seeds was good quality. Both Moody and Stockley were interviewed for Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World television series in 1980. To date, no adequate explanation for the weird showers has been found.
Sorry, but I'm not sure I would want to eat any produce grown from seeds that mysteriously rained down from above. Never know where the seeds have been, right?
Coffee in the kitchen again today. Temps are triple digits once more.
Rain of Seeds
February 1979
Roland Moody of Southampton, England, was startled to hear small, solid objects hitting the glass roof of the conservatory attached to his house. The objects turned out to be hundreds of seeds—small mustard seeds and cress seeds coated in a jelly-like substance. More seeds continued to fall during the day, eventually covering his garden. One of his neighbors, Mrs. Stockley, told Moody she’d had a similar experience the previous year.
The following day, Moody’s home was struck by corn, pea, and bean seeds that seemed to simply fall out of the sky. His neighbors on both sides were also pelted with peas and beans. Only those three houses in the neighborhood were targeted for the bizarre showers of seeds, and a police investigation was unable to pinpoint a source.
The phenomena gradually decreased and went away. By that time, Moody and his neighbors had endured twenty-five separate barrages and collected ten pounds of beans from their gardens. Moody himself gathered eight buckets of cress seeds. He claimed the produce grown from the seeds was good quality. Both Moody and Stockley were interviewed for Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World television series in 1980. To date, no adequate explanation for the weird showers has been found.
Sorry, but I'm not sure I would want to eat any produce grown from seeds that mysteriously rained down from above. Never know where the seeds have been, right?
Coffee in the kitchen again today. Temps are triple digits once more.
Friday, August 9, 2019
A Weird Beach Find For Freaky Friday...!
When you live close enough to the shore to go beachcombing, you never know just what you may find. From Listverse, here is one of the more unusual finds on the sandy shores.
The English Channel coastline hugs a busy shipping lane. Strange things often float to its beaches, but none matched the greasy balls that arrived in 2017. Hundreds of yellow clumps lined miles of northern France’s beaches. There was a faint whiff of paraffin wax, but paraffin melts in the sun and this goop never did.
Authorities issued a statement that the spongy-looking balls were probably not dangerous. In the same breath, they could not positively say what the objects were made of. Pollution watchdogs were more realistic and warned people not to touch the stuff.
Considering that tons littered miles of coastline, some beachgoers undoubtedly touched the gunk. Thankfully, no morgue reports were forthcoming. The only clue seemed to be that that fluff balls originated from an oil product. One theory suggested that it was some kind of boat exhaust grease that solidified once it came into contact with the cold seawater.
Telling people not to touch this stuff is like putting up a sign saying "wet paint!" You know someone is going to touch it.
Coffee inside this morning.
The French Goop
Photo credit: Live Science
The English Channel coastline hugs a busy shipping lane. Strange things often float to its beaches, but none matched the greasy balls that arrived in 2017. Hundreds of yellow clumps lined miles of northern France’s beaches. There was a faint whiff of paraffin wax, but paraffin melts in the sun and this goop never did.
Authorities issued a statement that the spongy-looking balls were probably not dangerous. In the same breath, they could not positively say what the objects were made of. Pollution watchdogs were more realistic and warned people not to touch the stuff.
Considering that tons littered miles of coastline, some beachgoers undoubtedly touched the gunk. Thankfully, no morgue reports were forthcoming. The only clue seemed to be that that fluff balls originated from an oil product. One theory suggested that it was some kind of boat exhaust grease that solidified once it came into contact with the cold seawater.
Telling people not to touch this stuff is like putting up a sign saying "wet paint!" You know someone is going to touch it.
Coffee inside this morning.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
"Radar" O'Reilly Does Fishing...!
I'm sure you remember the television show MASH, right? Did you know that Radar from that show had a couple of patents for his fishing equipment? From Listverse, here is the story.
American actor Gary Burghoff is best known for his role as Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly in the 1970s TV series M*A*S*H. Unlike the naive, innocent character he portrayed in the hit series, Burghoff also has a bent for inventing things.
He holds two patents for “Chum Magic,” a fishing device that draws fish toward the boat, as well as a fishing rod. Chum Magic automatically dispenses chum while attracting fish to the hook with a combination of lights and optional simulated seaweed.
He also patented a toilet seat-lifting device, if you are averse to visiting public toilets.
Glad the man had something to fill in the time after his hit T.V. show. Fishing and everything related is a good way to unwind.
Coffee inside this morning. Way too hot out on the patio.
Gary Burghoff—Fishing Equipment
Photo credit: Anonymous
American actor Gary Burghoff is best known for his role as Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly in the 1970s TV series M*A*S*H. Unlike the naive, innocent character he portrayed in the hit series, Burghoff also has a bent for inventing things.
He holds two patents for “Chum Magic,” a fishing device that draws fish toward the boat, as well as a fishing rod. Chum Magic automatically dispenses chum while attracting fish to the hook with a combination of lights and optional simulated seaweed.
He also patented a toilet seat-lifting device, if you are averse to visiting public toilets.
Glad the man had something to fill in the time after his hit T.V. show. Fishing and everything related is a good way to unwind.
Coffee inside this morning. Way too hot out on the patio.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Can You Believe This Critter...?
Just about the time we get to thinking we have seen nearly everything, along comes this guy. Although in all fairness, this little guy has been around for quite awhile...or so it seems.
Although well known to Egyptians in ancient times, and to pygmies since prehistory, the Okapi’s existence was only confirmed and accepted by western science in the 20th century. At first, scientists thought it was some kind of forest dwelling zebra, because of the stripes on its legs, but now it is known to be the closest and only living relative to the giraffe! Just like the giraffe, the Okapi is an usually peaceful vegetarian with a very long, bluish gray tongue that comes in handy to clean its eyes, ears and nostrils… both inside and out. Adult Okapis are about 2 meters tall at the shoulder; that’s much smaller than the giraffe, but they are still one of the largest animals in the African rainforests. Seldom seen and rarely displayed in zoos, the Okapi is only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, although it was likely more widespread in ancient times.
I'll say one thing about this guy. He sure has one crazy paint job, courtesy of Mother Nature, no doubt.
Coffee out on the patio once again.
Okapi
Although well known to Egyptians in ancient times, and to pygmies since prehistory, the Okapi’s existence was only confirmed and accepted by western science in the 20th century. At first, scientists thought it was some kind of forest dwelling zebra, because of the stripes on its legs, but now it is known to be the closest and only living relative to the giraffe! Just like the giraffe, the Okapi is an usually peaceful vegetarian with a very long, bluish gray tongue that comes in handy to clean its eyes, ears and nostrils… both inside and out. Adult Okapis are about 2 meters tall at the shoulder; that’s much smaller than the giraffe, but they are still one of the largest animals in the African rainforests. Seldom seen and rarely displayed in zoos, the Okapi is only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, although it was likely more widespread in ancient times.
I'll say one thing about this guy. He sure has one crazy paint job, courtesy of Mother Nature, no doubt.
Coffee out on the patio once again.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Not Just A Pretty Face...!
We often forget that some famous folks like actors have made significant contributions in fields far removed from the public image. Hedy Lamarr was one of these with plenty of talent beyond acting.
Austrian-born film star Hedy Lamarr was a box office hit during the Hollywood Golden Age in the late 1930s and early 1940s. She was once called “the most beautiful woman in the world,” but there was much more to the bombshell movie star than a pretty face.
During World War II, Lamarr also worked on a torpedo guidance system which forms the basis of today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communications. Patented in 1942 in conjunction with composer George Anthiel, their “frequency hopping” device was used during the war to prevent enemy forces from jamming radio-guided torpedoes, thus sending them off course.
Surprisingly, neither Lamarr nor Anthiel profited from their groundbreaking invention during their lifetimes.
Next time you watch an old movie, you might want to ponder the fact that what you see isn't always the whole story. Certainly wasn't in Hedy's case.
Coffee out on the patio again...if it doesn't rain.
Hedy Lamarr—Wi-Fi
Photo credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
During World War II, Lamarr also worked on a torpedo guidance system which forms the basis of today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communications. Patented in 1942 in conjunction with composer George Anthiel, their “frequency hopping” device was used during the war to prevent enemy forces from jamming radio-guided torpedoes, thus sending them off course.
Surprisingly, neither Lamarr nor Anthiel profited from their groundbreaking invention during their lifetimes.
Next time you watch an old movie, you might want to ponder the fact that what you see isn't always the whole story. Certainly wasn't in Hedy's case.
Coffee out on the patio again...if it doesn't rain.
Monday, August 5, 2019
The Brown Mountain Mystery...!
Here is a case where persistence paid off...sorta. Just goes to show, you should never give up. Another mystery from Listverse.
After spending years hoping, to no avail, to see the mysterious lights rumored to flit about Brown Mountain in North Carolina, Appalachian State University physics professor Dr. Daniel Caton was about to call it quits for good. Then, on July 17, 2016, he spied an orb streaking over the mountain ridge. It vanished, reappeared, vanished again, and reappeared a second time.
He checked both cameras recording the phenomenon to make sure that each had filmed the orb’s strange behavior. If they hadn’t, he’d have attributed the light to a lens flare, but both cameras captured the same images. While he could rule out lens flares, he could find no explanation for the mysterious orb, and the Brown Mountain lights remain mysterious to this day.
You have to give the professor credit for being persistent, if nothing else. I can't help but wonder if the whole thing was satisfying enough for him, though.
Coffee out on the patio this morning.
Brown Mountain
Photo credit: National Paranormal Association via Star-News
After spending years hoping, to no avail, to see the mysterious lights rumored to flit about Brown Mountain in North Carolina, Appalachian State University physics professor Dr. Daniel Caton was about to call it quits for good. Then, on July 17, 2016, he spied an orb streaking over the mountain ridge. It vanished, reappeared, vanished again, and reappeared a second time.
He checked both cameras recording the phenomenon to make sure that each had filmed the orb’s strange behavior. If they hadn’t, he’d have attributed the light to a lens flare, but both cameras captured the same images. While he could rule out lens flares, he could find no explanation for the mysterious orb, and the Brown Mountain lights remain mysterious to this day.
You have to give the professor credit for being persistent, if nothing else. I can't help but wonder if the whole thing was satisfying enough for him, though.
Coffee out on the patio this morning.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Freaky Friday Fun Fact...!
Here is a bit of interesting product history for ya. I realize that many of you probably already knew this, but Here it is again anyway.
While matches existed in China in the 6th century and Europe from the 16th century, it was not until the 1800s that friction matches as we know them today were invented. The first “friction match” was invented by English chemist John Walker in 1826. Early work had been done by Robert Boyle and his assistant, Godfrey Haukweicz in the 1680s with phosphorus and sulfur, but their efforts had not produced useful results. Walker discovered a mixture of stibnite, potassium chlorate, gum, and starch could be ignited by striking against any rough surface. Walker called the matches congreves, but the process was patented by Samuel Jones and the matches were sold as lucifer matches (as they are still known in the Netherlands). In 1862, Bryant and May, the British match manufacturers began mass producing the red tipped matches we all know today, after the patent by the Lundström brothers from Sweden.
Just another useless fact to add to those already garnered from these postings from yours truly. Just file it away under "paltry trivia", OK?
Coffee out on the patio again today.
Friction Matches
While matches existed in China in the 6th century and Europe from the 16th century, it was not until the 1800s that friction matches as we know them today were invented. The first “friction match” was invented by English chemist John Walker in 1826. Early work had been done by Robert Boyle and his assistant, Godfrey Haukweicz in the 1680s with phosphorus and sulfur, but their efforts had not produced useful results. Walker discovered a mixture of stibnite, potassium chlorate, gum, and starch could be ignited by striking against any rough surface. Walker called the matches congreves, but the process was patented by Samuel Jones and the matches were sold as lucifer matches (as they are still known in the Netherlands). In 1862, Bryant and May, the British match manufacturers began mass producing the red tipped matches we all know today, after the patent by the Lundström brothers from Sweden.
Just another useless fact to add to those already garnered from these postings from yours truly. Just file it away under "paltry trivia", OK?
Coffee out on the patio again today.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Perfect For Freaking Out...!
You know that I am always looking for new and unusual things to post about...right? Well, this certainly qualifies, I believe.
Scientist Andreas Kay browsed Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest in 2017. He encountered a tiny creature with a really odd look. The photographs showed something resembling a spider with a black bunny’s head. As bizarre and new as it looked, the species had been discovered in 1959.
About the size of a thumbnail, it was also not a spider but a harvestman. This type of arachnid is more popularly known as a “daddy longlegs.” Unfortunately, researchers don’t have much information about this particular species which is known as the bunny harvestman.
Little research has been done on the creature’s unique body shape, despite being known for decades. However, the rabbit look probably has an important purpose. The two false ears and false yellow eyes could be a way to deter predators.
Whatever the reason, harvestmen are exceptionally successful as a group. There are thousands of species, and they are older than the dinosaurs.
Now, I don't know about you, but this would definitely freak me out if I ran across one. I'm hoping that won't happen anytime soon, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio before it gets too hot. Warning...it's awfully muggy out there.
Arachnid With Rabbit Head
Photo credit: sciencealert.com
Scientist Andreas Kay browsed Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest in 2017. He encountered a tiny creature with a really odd look. The photographs showed something resembling a spider with a black bunny’s head. As bizarre and new as it looked, the species had been discovered in 1959.
About the size of a thumbnail, it was also not a spider but a harvestman. This type of arachnid is more popularly known as a “daddy longlegs.” Unfortunately, researchers don’t have much information about this particular species which is known as the bunny harvestman.
Little research has been done on the creature’s unique body shape, despite being known for decades. However, the rabbit look probably has an important purpose. The two false ears and false yellow eyes could be a way to deter predators.
Whatever the reason, harvestmen are exceptionally successful as a group. There are thousands of species, and they are older than the dinosaurs.
Now, I don't know about you, but this would definitely freak me out if I ran across one. I'm hoping that won't happen anytime soon, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio before it gets too hot. Warning...it's awfully muggy out there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
