Annular Eclipse Report

Time for my eclipse tale. I took in the eclipse from the Grand Canyon. I stayed in Flagstaff (visited Meteor Crater and Sunset Crater...maybe another blog on that later) and drove up to the Canyon Sunday morning. I got there about 11:00am and went through the east entrance near Desert View/the Watchtower. The Watchtower is where the park service was going to set up telescopes. I decided to drive down and check out all the overlooks to see where I wanted to be. By the time I hit Grand Canyon Village, I knew Lipan Point was my choice so I turned around (ate lunch on the way) to go back there. Only problem was, Lipan Point had limited parking and not a lot of room for setup so I was worried I might have missed my window of opportunity.

I pulled into Lipan about 2pm and got lucky as a great parking spot opened up. Even luckier was finding a great spot to set up. I set up close to the edge of the Canyon (past the guard rail) so people wouldn't stand in front of me. Now just a long wait until the eclipse. I tweeted early in the day that today was like the Super Bowl for astronerds. Well, this was the tailgaiting part of the day. Lots of people were there, looking through scopes and swapping stories. The park service closed acces to Lipan later in the day because the was no more parking. As a result, it never got too crowded.

I set up my Canon Digital Rebel with a solar filter and a PST (Personal Solar Telescope) on a tracking mount. Finally, the Moon took a small bite out of the Sun.

The eclipse progressed nicely. Look closely for sunspots!

I attached a small, inexpensive point and shoot camera to my PST. The PST has a hydrogen alpha filter on it which lets you see prominences and filaments. I should have taken more pics with it, but they looked lousy on the small camera screen. They looked better when I downloaded them. Here is a shot from the PST. Note the little flame-like structures on the edge of the Sun (prominences) and the filaments (little dark lines on the Sun). You can only see these with a hydrogen alpha filter, not a white light filter.

Another PST shot closer to totality. You can see a nice active region in the lower right of the Sun.

Finally, we have the ring of fire!

That is a white light image of the ring of fire. I took a long video with my PST showing the progress through annularity. Here is the video for you.

And the Sun set with a small sliver still missing.

The Big Picture has a gallery of eclipse photos.  Look at #39 and #41 which were takend from the Grand Canyon. The background matches up with mine...they were taken from the same spot! He obviously used a very long zoom lens. I am pretty sure I know which one he was!

Interesting sidenote: This eclipse is part of Saros cycle 128. These eclipses repeat every 18 years, 10 days and six hours (approximately). I saw the previous annular eclipse from Michigan State in 1994 (we were just outside the path of annularity). The next one in this cycle is June 1st, 2030. If I see it, I will have completed an exeligmos (look it up, that's your vocab word of the day...I learned it from David Dickinson on twitter).

It was a great day with perfect weather and skies. I am already looking forward to 2017 when the continental U.S. will finally get a total solar eclipse!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Open Blog - Monday

Me, too!

The Bee Gees - "Words"

"Robin Gibb, Bee Gees star and co-founder, dies at 62 after losing battle with cancer"

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/bee-gees-star-co-founder-robin-gibb-loses-battle-cancer-62-article-1.1081615?localLinksEnabled=false

I never was a fan of the Bee Gees, and from what I've read, Robin didn't even sing in this song, but it's one of the few Bee Gees songs that I like.

RIP Robin Gibb.  

Upcoming Partial Eclipse

Just bumping this to the top as a reminder! Clear skies all!

I figured I should write a Racine specific blog for the upcoming partial solar eclipse. On May 20th, there will be an annular solar eclipse. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but doesn't quite cover the Sun. The Moon has an elliptical orbit...remember "Super Moon" a couple of weeks ago? The Moon was larger because it was near perigee, or the closest it gets to Earth. Well, two weeks later, the Moon is near apogee, the farthest it gets from Earth. Therefore, the Moon appears smaller, too small to entirely cover the Sun. If you are near the center line of an annular eclipse, you see a "Ring of Fire" around the Moon.

The center line of this annular eclipse passes over Japan, the Pacific Ocean, northern California, Nevada, northern Arizona (guess where I will be?), New Mexico and the eclipse ends in west Texas. However many people north and south of the center will see a partial eclipse, including Racine.

In Racine, the Moon touches the face of the Sun at about 7:20pm CDT on May 20th (sunset is at 8:12pm). The Moon will slowly cover the Sun until sunset. At that time, over 60% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. I used Steallarium to create an image of what you would see at sunset if you had a clear western horizon.

Now to observe the eclipse, you don't want to just look at it with your eyes. Even partially covered near sunset, the Sun is still bright enough to cause eye damage. Fortunately, eclipse shades are cheap (a buck or two). You can get them from various places. American Science and Surplus (6901 W Oklahoma in Milwaukee) carries them and I bet the Milwuakee Public Museum might as well. You can also make a pinhole viewer to observe the eclipse. Whichever you choose, you can also use it to watch the upcoming transit of Venus on June 5th (future blog).

Unfortunately, I don't see anything on the Racine Astronomical Society website indicating they will be having an event. The telscopes in the domes may have limits as to how low in the sky they can observe and, since this is sunset when the Sun is very low, they may choose not to open for it.

If you don't live in Racine and want to know what is visible from your location, check out NASA's interactive eclipse map. Just click on your location and you will get the details.

Oh, and I will be in the Grand Canyon, in the path of annularity, for this eclipse and yes, there will be pictures!

Our Tax Dollars at Work

This stuff kills me; spend tax dollars to arrest more people....Seems like a dictatorship!

Seat belt enforcement in Racine, Caledonia.

Journal Times staff JournalTimes.com

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2012 5:48 am.

RACINE — The City of Racine and Village of Caledonia police departments will mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from Monday to June 3.

The City of Racine and the Village of Caledonia police departments will intensify enforcement of Wisconsin’s mandatory safety belt law during the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization. Officers will stop a vehicle and issue citations for an unbuckled driver or passenger. The goal of this effort is not to issue more citations, but to have everyone buckle up voluntarily and reduce the number of traffic deaths in Wisconsin to zero.

Read more: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/seat-belt-enforcement-in-racine-caledonia/article_1a8533a0-a144-11e1-aa9f-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz1vLrz1HLY

Open Blog - Weekend

Happy weekend.

"You're vs. Your"

Adult Language Advisory 



What about it's and its?

Every Airplane That Was Ever Built

For all of you who enjoy airplanes, this is a neat site to view them from all over the world.

Click here for Every Airplane That Was Ever Built

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone! Welcome back to Four for Fridays after a short and pleasant week after my vacation. Thank you for your patience while I was on vacation. Here are some questions...

1) Did you climb trees when you were a kid?

2) Did you read comic books when you were a kid? If so, which ones?

3) Where did you often play at?

4) Where did you go swimming as a kid?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Yahoo, too!

Open Blog - Thursday

Pansies for Thursday.

Spring In Wisconsin Wildflowers!

This part is pictures I have taken from up north over the weekend. It is pictures of wildflowers and the names of them. I was able to get these pictures in between getting wildlife pictures, visiting Drew's family, cookout by my son on Saturday for Mother's Day and my older daughters graduation.

Yes while driving around looking for wildlife I was looking for the wildflowers so I could get pictures of them. Drew's mom showed some of them to me by their house that she has coming up too. I was having fun walking around the yard and taking pictures of the flowers with his mom. Then she showed me a wildflower book she has so we could look up the names of the flowers. I could not believe how many different wildflowers that are out there.

This is a Bird-Foot Violet. This was found up north by Drew's mom and dad's house. This has the larger blossom of the wild violets. They are a very pretty violet flower too.

This a Broom Snakeweed flower. This is really different and hard to find the name but a very pretty flower. This was also found by Drew's parents house. I found out on the computer that this can come in a bush of flowers or in singles.

This is a Wood Violet it was also found in the yard of Drew's parents. This violet can be found all over the world. It is a very common flower. I have not seen this violet down here at all and we have been driving around all over down here.

This flower is a Trillium. Yes this is a very common flower are here but this was taken in the driveway of Drew's parents. Driving around up north you will see these flowers and it looks like a very light blanket of snow with these flowers on the side of the roads. They are a very pretty flower.

This flower is a Viola Sororia it is in the family of the Violets. This is also Wisconsin's State Flower. This flower comes in many different colors. They are also a family of the Pansy being tri-colors. This is another flower found by Drew's parents house. The flower below is another Viola Sororia that I had taken. I just wanted you to see the different colors of them.

Yes all the pictures here was up north when we visited Drew's parents. We had a really nice visit with them and I really enjoyed walking around the yard looking at the different wild flowers they have growing. I already miss being up that way with it being so quiet and just driving around on the country roads. Yes I also miss the families. I did get to see my granddaughter that is another post by itself of some pictures of her. I hope you all enjoy these pictures just as much as I enjoyed taking them!♥

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my beautiful butterflies!  How are you?  Our glorious spring continues unabated.  It’s been temperate for so long now that all thoughts of winter fade into two years ago.  I really don’t know what’s going on.  Mother Nature still is not speaking to me.  Perhaps she’s drunk or high on something.  It appears that everything is a month or more ahead of schedule.  I’m putting my tomatoes in this weekend.  I’ve heard of quite a few other people who have already started their vegetables.  My green thumbs are ready for action.

Belated Happy Mother’s Day.  I hope yours was wonderful.  Señor Zanza and Junior made and served me breakfast in bed.  Well, actually, Señor Zanza did it while Junior “supervised” (taste-tested).  It was delicious and so charming.  I am blessed to have these men in my life.  Later, the Señor and Junior fired up the gill and we had a cookout.  Again, the men did all the work.  Señor Zanza gave me a delightful, sheer nightie.  Junior gave me the latest video game for his gaming system, which I immediately “lent” to him.  All in all, it was a delightful day.

Warning!  Warning!  Danger, Will Robinson!  Warning!  Yes, I am talking about bicycles vs. motorists in Racine.  Motorcycles, too, are often “invisible” to drivers of other vehicles.  We have to be alert to see them and give them their right of way on the road.  Bicycles (and scooters and skateboards), however, are more likely to dart out unexpectedly into your path.  I bring this up because of story in The Journal Times.com a few days ago about a bicyclist who was traveling the wrong way on Wisconsin Ave. at night with dark clothes and no light.  He hit an SUV. http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/cyclist-was-conscious-after-hitting-suv/article_f0ecbc70-9be4-11e1-941e-0019bb2963f4.html

I have noticed an increase every year in the number of “two-wheelers” on the streets (and sidewalks) of Racine.  Many of these riders do not obey the rules of the road as it applies to bicyclists.  Many of them, I suspect, don’t even know the rules.  In any case, motorists must be especially wary of bicycles and other contraptions on the road.  This time of year we have to learn to share the roads all over again.  Be especially careful around bicyclists.  Never assume that they will follow the rules of the road.  Keep your eyes and ears open for riders coming from any direction.  Keep yourself and the two-wheelers safe.

I’m going to briefly weigh in on two local political issues.  First, I don’t believe that anyone in Racine County should have to pay a cent toward a new arena for Milwaukee.  Second, I don’t believe that anyone in Racine County should have to pay a cent toward Mr. Mayor Dickert’s legal bills, nor should our insurance be covering his losses.  This will just drive premiums up.

Third, thank you so much for reading my blog today.  Each and every one of you is a dear, dear friend of mine.  I love my Irregular family and my regular readers family. Love, love, love. 

Is it love or lust?  Find out: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

Au revoir, my dears.  Continue to enjoy the marvelous weather. Continue to enjoy life.  Turn a frown upside down and all the blood will rush to your head.  Oh my.  Gelastic!

"Groucho kazoo band members hanging up their noses"

From JSOnline: 

"Jim Stingl | In My Opinion"

"Don McLean might call it the day the buzzing died.

"The One, the Only, the Original All Kazoo Band is breaking up after 34 years of organized chaos and many miles of marching in parades while disguised as Groucho Marx.

"'I think we've aged ourselves out of existence,' said Trish Andrae, 68, a member from the beginning with her husband, Dan.

"'We don't have enough people to keep going,' said Chuck Wilkie, 70, who led the ragtag bunch since 1995.

"The group's final parade was in Wauwatosa last year for the Fourth of July. For years, they made that trip down North Ave., sometimes rushing over to West Allis with a police escort to march in another parade there. They also appeared once or more in Cedarburg, Glendale, Greendale, Milwaukee's City of Festivals Parade, the Illinois State Fair, the Jerry Lewis telethon and on stage for the finale of 'The Nutcracker.'

"The kazoo band was created in 1978 by Tom Jakubowski at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in West Allis. He led it until he died in 1994 at age 53.

"No musical talent was required, of course, and the band swelled to more than 100 members at its peak."

Read more:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/groucho-kazoo-band-hanging-up-noses-775e66i-151637815.html

That is a great human interest story.  Had I known about the existence of the band, I would have sought out a performance.

Open Blog - Wednesday

Crazy, man.

BOEING 797

From Harry Wait:

It can comfortably fly 10,000 Miles (16,000 km) at Mach 0.88 or 654 mph (1,046 km/h)
with 1000 passengers on board !

They have kept this secret long enough.
This shot was taken last month by an amateur photographer.

 

 The BOEING 797

Boeing is preparing this 1000 passenger Jet Liner that could reshape the Air Travel Industry. Its radical "Blended Wing & Fuselage" design has been developed by Boeing in cooperation with NASA Langley Research Centre. The mammoth aircraft will have a wing span of 265 feet compared to 211 feet of its 747, and its been designed to fit within the newly created Air Terminals for the 555 seat Airbus A380, which is 262 feet wide.

The new 797 is Boeing's direct response to the Airbus A380, which has racked up orders for 159 already. Boeing decided to kill its 747X Stretched Super Jumbo in 2003 after little interest was shown for it by Airline Companies, but continued to develop its "Ultimate Airbus Crusher", the 797 at its Phantom Works Research Facility in Long Beach, California.

The Airbus A380 had been in the works since 1999 and has accumulated $13 Billion in development costs, which gives Boeing a huge advantage. More so because Airbus is thus committed to the older style tubular structure for their aircraft for decades to come.

There are several big advantages in the "Blended Wing & Fuselage" design, the most important being the ‘Lift to Drag’ ratio which is expected to increase by an amazing 50%, resulting in an overall weight reduction of the aircraft by 25%, making it an estimated 33% more fuel efficient than the A380, and thus making the Airbus's $13 Billion Dollar investment look pretty shaky.

"High Airframe Rigidity" is another key factor in the "Blended Wing & Fuselage" technology. It reduces turbulence and creates less stress on the airframe which adds to fuel efficiency, giving the 797 a tremendous 10,000 Mile range with 1,000 passengers on board cruising comfortably at Mach 0.88 or 654 MPH, which gives it another advantage over the tube-and-wing designed A380's 570 MPH.

The exact date ! for introduction of the 797 is as yet unclear, but the battle lines are clearly drawn in the high-stakes war for future civilian aircraft supremacy.

Open Blog - Tuesday

Pretty butterfly.

Two Miles of Road

Sorry, that I haven't been around for awhile...I took a long needed break to the boondocks of Northern Wisconsin. Three days with no phone, no TV and no internet. Refreshing. However, I did bring back a story to tell...

It was that stretch of road on Hwy 47 between Black Creek and Langstad when it all happened... That is where the waters from the springtime rains overflowed the banks of Black Creek and White Lake, turning the surrounding basins into a marshy field. Abundant wildlife thrives there in the mid evening hours as the sun starts to drift toward the horizon. Armed with a camera while eyes were wide open, gazing over the farm fields.

"Crane!" Tender Heart called out as she slammed on the brakes of the car. Tires spit gravel as she wheeled the white Chevy around for a better view...


Sure enough, a pair of Sandhill Cranes were grazing on cultivated corn in a farm field. Standing at about 38 inches tall and with the wingspan of almost seven feet, the Sandhill Crane is one of the largest birds in North America. After seeing so many crane in these parts, it is hard to believe that this elegant bird was once endangered in the 1940's. Because of human intervention, the crane has thrived and flourished... It still remains endangered in several states.

While snapping away at the crane, Tender Heart taps me on the shoulder, "Sweetheart, I just saw something big fly into that tree over there". I saw it, but I wasn't sure what is was... "Probably a raven or a hawk, but let's take a better look", I whispered. We crept forward. I could hear the sound of crunching gravel under the wheels of the car. The humongous bird flew from the oak tree with a black bird chasing it. It was a Bald Eagle! I clearly saw the white head and tail as it turned around flew towards us, its seven and a half foot wingspan kissing the sky. The raptor then swooped down to about 200 feet away from us, snatching a Red-winged Blackbird with its massive talons. Somehow, the black bird managed to get dropped and fell to the ground as the magnificent bird of prey flew to its roost. This is where I took this snapshot...


Excited and satisfied with the series of photos (even though the traffic was blasting past us), we headed back on the road. We had a couple of more hours of travel ahead of us. We didn't even get more than a couple of miles before I called out,"Turkey!" On my side of road there were a dozen or so Eastern Wild Turkey in an unplowed farm field. Some of these gobblers were engaged in a courtship display trying to impress the hens. With their puffed up feathers, tails fanned out and wings dragging, they were so engaged in what they were doing that they barely even noticed us.


Just behind the turkeys, we noticed a White Tailed Deer foraging in the field. It was that time of the year that we couldn't tell if it was a buck or doe, for its antlers hasn't grown in yet. Mammals by nature, are more skittish than birds. To get a close up shot of our beautiful state animal was nearly impossible, even with my Sony DSC-H2 camera. To complicate matters, the animal was trotting off to the woods intending to get out of sight. After a short chase, I managed to get a shot of it glancing at us, just before it stepped out of sight....


We didn't get to our destination till WAY after nightfall, by then we have seen more turkey and deer along the way. It was worth it....

Taxi Suite (excerpt: 1. After Anacreon)

When I drive cab
         I am moved by strange whistles and wear a hat.

When I drive cab
         I am the hunter. My prey leaps out from where it
         hid, beguiling me with gestures.

When I drive cab
         all may command me, yet I am in command of all who do.

When I drive cab
         I am guided by voices descending from the naked air.

When I drive cab
         A revelation of movement comes to me. They wake now.
         Now they want to work or look around. Now they want
         drunkenness and heavy food. Now they contrive to love.

When I drive cab
         I bring the sailor home from the sea. In the back of
         my car he fingers the pelt of his maiden.

When I drive cab
         I watch for stragglers in the urban order of things.

When I drive cab
         I end the only lit and waitful thing in miles of
         darkened houses.

--Lew Welch

"Lewis Barrett 'Lew' Welch, Jr. (August 16, 1926 — May 23, 1971?) was an American poet associated with the Beat generation of poets, artists, and iconoclasts.
Welch published and performed widely during the 1960s. He taught a poetry workshop as part of the University of California Extension in San Francisco from 1965 to 1970.
On May 23, 1971, he was believed to have committed suicide, after leaving a note. His body was never found^[1]"

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lew_Welch

See also: http://epc.buffalo.edu/authors/welch/

"Property Assessments for City of Racine Elected Officials"

From TSE:

 

"Property  Assessments for City of Racine Elected Officials – Compiled from Open Records"

"OFFICE  HELD                   NAME                               ADDRESS               CURRENT ASSESSMENT"

"Mayor                                   John Dickert                       151 Westminister Sq.                     $179,000

City Administrator          Tom Friedel                       1904 Dwight Ave.                             $111,000

1^st.  District                         O.Keith Fair                        509 6^th. St                                             $173,000

2^nd. District                         Krystyna Sarrazin             1753 College Ave.                            $260,000

3^rd. District                          Michael  D. Shields         1850 13^th. St                                        $89,000

4^th. District                          Jim Kaplan                          400 Kewaunee St.                            $145,000

5^th. District                          Melissa A. Becker            2050 LaSalle St.                                 $126,000

6^th. District                          Sandy Weidner                 2310 Thor Ave.                                  $130,000

7^th. District                          Raymond Dehahn            2706 Diane Ave.                               $97,000

8^th. District                          Q.A. Shakoor                     1516 West 6^th.St                                $115,000

9^th. District                          Terrence McCarthy         317 West Blvd.                                  $189,000

10^th. District                        Dennis Wiser                     2517 Pinehurst Ave.                       $102,000

11^th. District                        Gregory T. Helding          2001 Thurston Ave.                         $92,000

12^th. District                        Aron Wisneski                  1025 Arthur Ave.                              $140,000

13^th. District                        Jim Morgenroth                 1500 Monroe Ave.                           $116,000

14^th. District                        Ronald D. Hart                   4420 Republic Ave.                         $101,000

15^th. District                        Robert Mozol                    407 Johnathon Dr.                           $165,000"

Open Blog - Monday

Happy Monday to enemies, too.

Useless Information

Did you know:

No one knows when the first Black and White TV was invented?

"Key & Peele: Auction Block"

http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/key-and-peele

I just found out about these guys. I bet their show is funny as hell.

"Citizens group calls for Mayor and City Administrator to resign"

From RacineUncovered.org:

"The group-CITIZENS UNITED FOR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY has sent out a press release to area media outlets saying that Mayor John Dickert and Administrator Tom Fridel should resign immediately. 

"Date: May 13, 2012
The responsible, decent and hardworking Citizens of Racine call on Mayor John Dickert, and City Administrator Tom Friedel, to resign their posts and return to private life. Their recent activities indicate that they are ethically and morally challenged and unsuitable for Public Office. In addition to being are wreckless and irresponsible with Taxpayers money they are unresponsive to the hardworking Citizens of Racine who are engaged in private Business and Employment. They have destroyed the business climate of Racine through their questionable activities with awarding contracts and perceived nepotism/cronyism that has completely destroyed any credibility of the Mayor and City Administrators Office. In addition, their activities have engaged the City of Racine in numerous lawsuits."

Read more:  http://racineuncovered.org/2012/05/citizen-groups-calls-for-mayor-and-city-administrator-to-resign/

Related: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/mayor-s-slander-lawsuit-costs-city-s-taxpayers/article_10727e22-9cbc-11e1-b90b-0019bb2963f4.html


Party on, lying John!

A Bad Place To Take a Prom Picture

Seemed like a good idea at the time...standing on the dock, over the water. Great place to capture the moment.

But you need to be sure to check the weight limit.

Don't worry, they dried themselves off and went to prom!

Open Blog - Weekend

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday.

Useless Information

IN SE WISCONSIN ON MAY 10, 1990 WE HAD 10” OF SNOW

Open Blog - Friday

Really, I doooo.

Happy Mother's Day!

I just want to wish all the mom's a very Happy Mother's Day.

Yes I do know this is early but I am not going to be by a computer this weekend. I am going up north to see my older daughter graduate college. That is why I am posting this very early this week. We are leaving today to go up north. I am writing this in between all my packing.

Saturday my son is having a cookout for Mother's Day and I get to see my granddaughter. I can't wait for that one.

I am sorry I haven't posted anymore flower or tree pictures. I will be getting more pictures from up north. Then I will post more pictures on here.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!♥

Open Blog - Thursday

Arnold is snorting pansies again.

Eastern Redbud

I don't want to step on Tender Heart Bear's toes, but I have to post a picture of my favorite spring flowering tree.  This Redbud is on Erie Street.

If you're going to plant Redbud, the advice usually given is be sure to use local stock as Rebuds from elsewhere may not be cold hardy for our winters.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my May flowers! How are you? Spring is still bursting out all over out there. I think the flowering trees in the city are trying to impress us with their beauty. I’m impressed. I’m almost stupefied. Everywhere you look is a glorious display of form and color. The shrubs, the flowers, even the grass, are vibrant. Hail to thee, o joyous spring!

Did any of you go to the Kiwanis Pancake Day last Saturday? Junior and I went with Mr. Zanza. My, Junior can pack away the pancakes. My, o my! Junior is at that sensitive age where he is aware of the opposite sex, but he has no idea of what to do with them. I pointed out that all those pancakes might affect his waistline, thus making him less attractive to girls. That was a mistake. I really hurt him. To compensate for the emotional pain, he ate even more. The poor dear. Well, we certainly got our money’s worth. I wonder if they’ll let us back in next year.

I do not want to start an argument here, but I feel I must say that I endorse the Positively Racine campaign. Like Ms. WhyNot, I can see good arising from it. Our city needs a better self-image. Once people are of a positive mindset, it becomes contagious. That’s what we need to move forward. Of course, Mr. OrbsCorbs and others have a right to disagree. In fact, they positively do.

Of course, the state recall primary was yesterday. I am so frustrated that our political system has become an either/or operation. There is no middle ground, there are no moderate candidates, there is no compromise. Either you are this or you are that. There is no third option other than the useless write-in. The ideological gridlock is complete, cemented in place with hatred and fear. It’s a shame that for being so technologically connected, we are personally disconnected by politics. I have an opinion of politicians, but I will not sully my own blog with it.

Finally, I would like to give a big, hearty THANK YOU to our local area law enforcement officials, firefighters, and EMTs. You put your very lives on the line to protect ours. We want you to know that we appreciate it. We want you to know that we are grateful for your work and your presence in our lives. May God bless you.

Bless you, too, my dear readers. Thank you for stopping by to try my “wares.” I am flattered by your attention. I love you all.

Left, right, or dynamite? Ask Madame Zoltar: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

I hope you are enjoying the spring. Don’t forget to say a positive thing or two about our town. “You catch more flies with honey.” Stay sweet, my dears. Here’s a new word site: http://home.comcast.net/~wwftd/Frame1.html Schizothemia!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Why isn't it spelt 'Wensday?'

Interesting Article

There is an interest article in the JT today. Click here for JT Article

Talk about a “slush fund”, the City of Racine has funds from last year still sitting in an account. My question is, “why aren’t those dollars moved automatically into a 2012 account”?

When it comes to the end of the year and you have $2,500 in your checking account do you just leave it there and start a new checking account?

I believe this is another reason our taxes are high because of miss use of funds and hiding them for, ‘Oh what should I call them’, special projects.

Open Blog - Tuesday

That reminds me of the owl and the cat video that Orbs posted a few days ago. 

"Every Breath You Take" Revisited

Wildlife Photos

Here it is, as I promised, another installment of wildlife photos. Instead of waterfowl, I'm bringing this one closer to home and into the backyards. Blackbirds are quite common everywhere, yet little is seemingly known in the difference between the species. Here are some of them found in the Racine area...


Above is a male Red-winged Blackbird. Picture taken at Pritchard Park. Red-wings are often found anywhere there is tall grasses and marches, especially among the cattails were they thrive. While the females tend to be a dusky brown in color, the males have red plumage on their wings. Red-wings are omnivorous, feeding mostly on seeds and wheat grains, however they'll snack on insects.


Above is the Common Grackle. Picture taken on a front lawn on Charles Street. These icterids can be easily found on lawns and open fields, often in flocks. This robin sized bird can be identified by a long tail and feathers that are appear black with purple, green or blue indescence on their heads. They'll eat most anything-often seen on the ground foraging for bugs, especially after a lawn trimming.


Above is the Brown-headed Cowbird. Picture taken at Roosevelt Park. Found where ever there are open fields and lawns, often foraging with Starlings and Grackles. Cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning they'll lay eggs in other bird's nests. The young Cowbirds are taken care of by the host parents in expense of their own young.

Above is the European Starling. Picture taken at Roosevelt Park. Commonly found on lawns and parks everywhere. Identified by the metallic sheen plumage and white spots. Often they are found foraging for insects among other blackbirds. This invasive species was introduced to the Americas by the English settlers in the late 1800's. Since then, they have adapted and multiplied to a point where they have become a nuisance.

All pictures here were taken by Tender Heart and me using either a Sony DSC-H2 Cyber-shot or a Sony DSC-W350 Cyber-shot. Wildlife photography is not easy. Animals don't pose for pictures, nor even stay still. Most often, they are gone before the camera is ever focused. For every good shot, a few are missed completely.

Here is a partial list of complete misses for last week...

A Red Fox with cub. (You know about that already)
A Green Heron at Trout Ponds (I finally got him this afternoon)
A Baltimore Oriole at Trout Ponds
A couple of Eastern Chipmonks at Sanders Park.

Never fear, I've a few dozen pictures ready to be posted and more coming as I head out there with armed with a camera. Some pics will SURPRISE you....

?????????? - Can't think of a name for it

Let's call this a "pre-blog"

I'm reading a book that has really made me think.
It's about introverts and extroverts.
I have always thought of myself as one in particular, and now am not so sure.
Before I post what I got from this book so far, I thought it would be fun to guess what each other are, then I will follow in a day or so with an excerpt from the book and 'out' myself.
Happy guessing, this should be fun. Please don't give up what you think you are until the next installment - GO!

Open Blog - Monday

I will try my darnedest.

Just a little something.....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQB5Bl_2GKI&feature=related