The Cactus Who Wanted to Be a Christmas Tree
Katie loves Christmastime. Getting presents is nice, and playing in the snow with her friends is fun, but what she likes best are all the pretty decorations...
The Prevalence of Fake News
President Trump has a point — there’s a lot of fake stuff out there. Of course, manipulative tools have been available for some time. I assume you’ve heard of the computer program Adobe Photoshop? The publishing business where I worked for 15 years displayed a photo of an older couple with the man’s head replaced
How The Turtle Got His Shell
No, this is not a children’s story (although it’s a tempting subject). I ran across a post on the EarthSky website that discusses this. Actually, it’s a link to a nine-minute YouTube video from PBS Digital Studios that explains turtle evolution in great detail. It’s probably more than you ever wanted to know, but if
What Is Your Science Interest?
I’ve always had an interest in outer space, and last year I began subscribing to Astronomy magazine. It’s full of fascinating scientific articles and tidbits, but what caught my eye in the May 2018 issue (yes, it’s out already; you have to plan ahead to watch the sky) was the “Strange Universe” column by Bob
Have You Every Been Really Misunderstood?
One of the frustrating aspects of life is to say something to be taken at face value, then have it completely misinterpreted. I have a story along those lines that I’ve been relating to friends and they enjoy it, so I’ve decided to repeat it here. During my Air Force career, I worked mostly in
Predicting the Future
Who can predict the future? (Not theme parks, which is why Disneyland’s “Tomorrowland” always seems outdated.) But the Wall Street Journal is trying. The website of this venerable publication has been posting a series of podcasts entitled “The Future of Everything.” As of this date, 23 have been posted. Most are a bit long, going
Do the Amish Have the Secret to a Healthy, Long Life?
Everyone wants to know the secret to a long, healthy life. But there is one group that appears to have a jump on the rest of us. The Amish. This religious sect that live mostly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana and eschews most modern gadgetry have always had a health advantage; in 1947, the average
Why We Procrastinate
You really have to love a piece that begins “This article would have been much better if I hadn’t waited until the last minute to write it.” Why do we procrastinate? The most logical reason is because we’re so afraid of success that we find ways to intentionally sabotage our work. This is so common
What is a Work Spouse?
In my lifetime, I’ve heard a lot of ideas about management and productivity. But one that is new to me is the idea of a “work spouse.” We need to make one thing clear right away — this has nothing to do with sex. A work spouse is simply a friend you can trust, respect,
How Leopards Can Save Human Lives
My favorite natural law is the Law of Unintended Consequences. Here is a good example. The leopard is one of the most elusive and feared predators in the world. The last thing you would want is a big cat like this in a populated area. Or would you? There is a recent study in
Original Poem — My Rite of Spring
In honor of spring (although you’d never know it now in Southwest Ohio), I am reposting this poem, which is from my book Some Poems About Life My Rite of Spring I consider myself a peaceable soul. I value all manner of livable things. Insects and mice, spiders and voles. Just about anything Mom Nature