“CAN YOU READ ME A FLOPPY, GRANDPA?” PART 1
THE QUESTION ABOVE is grammatically correct: I intend “can,” not “will,” nor “may.” Those of a certain age may remember asking, “Mrs. Grimbly, can I open a window?” She’d say, … Continue reading
SLEEPING WITH VIRGINIA WOOLF, DREAMING ABOUT A NAKED GIRL WITH LONG JADE EARRINGS
MAYBE YOUR READING habits are like mine? I always seem to have four or five books that I’m part way through. Whenever I finish one, I’ve added another to my … Continue reading
BEATRIX POTTER, GENTLEWOMAN AND CONSIDERABLY MORE PART 2
YESTERDAY, WE ENCOUNTERED Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter’s pal who has delighted children (and their parents) since 1902. Today in Part 2, Beatrix confronts resistance from her own parents, but thrives … Continue reading
A GENTLEWOMAN AND CONSIDERABLY MORE PART 1
THE NAME BEATRIX POTTER is familiar to me because of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, 1902, a favorite children’s book to this day. I encountered her again while browsing through … Continue reading
1954 FRENCH GRAND PRIX—AND MERCEDES DOMINATION
WHAT WITH LEWIS HAMILTON’S winning ways, we’re accustomed these days to Mercedes-Benz domination of Formula One. Indeed, nor is this a first time for this German firm. It and Auto … Continue reading
THUMBS UP! AND OVER
AN OPPOSABLE THUMB optimizes interaction with the other four digits of a hand (or foot—gorillas have opposable big toes too). Humans have opposable thumbs, as do most other primates. Cats, … Continue reading
SAMUEL F. B. MORSE, — .. -..- . -.. / — . … … .- –. . … PART 2
YESTERDAY IN PART 1, we celebrated artist Samuel B. Morse with the coded title “mixed messages.” Today, in Part 2, we celebrate Morse’s technical prowess, but lament others of his … Continue reading
SAMUEL F.B. MORSE, — .. -..- . -.. / — . … … .- –. . … PART 1
MORSECODE.WORLD PROVIDED a portion of the title above, reading “mixed messages.” And if ever there was a person deserving such an epitaph, it’s Samuel F.B. Morse. Here in Parts 1 … Continue reading
A VIRTUAL PORSCHE
WHAT WITH THE modest odometer reading on my 2012 Honda Crosstour (not yet 25,000), I’m not quite in the market for a battery electric vehicle. On the other hand, a … Continue reading
CELEBRATING PASTA ENGINEERING
HERE’S A WIN-WIN for science, for the environment, and for cuisine: a pasta that changes shape from flat to fancy as it cooks. At first glance, this may seem like … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 