Saving endangered languages from being forgotten

Saving endangered languages from being forgotten

During the second world war, the United States used first nations soldiers who spoke an obscure dialect. These soldiers could communicate secret information as there wasn't any way for the enemy to understand whant they were saying. The movie Windtalkers was a fictional story based on the use of these speakers.

How to measure attention span of a fly: Implications for ADHD, autism in humans

How to measure attention span of a fly: Implications for ADHD, autism in humans
Has anyone ever said that that you have the attention span of a fly? Just how long do you think that is? Scientists have now measured this span. To find out more- read this:

Men feel less guilt, study suggests

Men feel less guilt, study suggests

This may go along way in explaining the behaviour of Tiger Woods and John Edwards. They don't feel guilty, but they really should. If they had Jewish mothers they might really understand guilt

YouTube - Triumph The Insult Comic Dog Does Weather in Hawaii

YouTube - Triumph The Insult Comic Dog Does Weather in Hawaii

Every time we are on the big island, I think of this weather report and my kids often quote it when they look out of the livingroom window. "Oh no! Poor Hawaii!". The best line about the Olympics was in the Vancouver Sun this last weekend. "Welcome to the Winter Olympics or as we call it here, Spring." The weather is fabulous and my flowers are coming out. Even the tropical plants survived outdoors and the kids next door are devastated that they didn't make any money shovelling our walks.

YouTube - Did You Know?

YouTube - Did You Know?

some years ago I gave a speech similar to this message. My point was then and it still is today- that children who are in grade 1 today will be employed as adults in jobs that havent' been invented today. Those jobs are in science and technology and if teachers and parents don't stress the importance of science and technology to our children, then they are our country will fall behind.

'Survival of the cutest' proves Darwin right

'Survival of the cutest' proves Darwin right

If you look at through my blog for videos and photos of Cry and Havoc, you may begin to wonder about this scientific study. It's difficult to believe that either of my boys would have made the survival cut. Fine, Cry can smile and Havoc can wink, but I doubt that is a desirable trait for either mutt.

Animals populated Madagascar by rafting there

Animals populated Madagascar by rafting there

If you liked the movie, "Madagascar", then this story will make you laugh. Perhaps the cartoon was not just a work of fiction.

YouTube - Rubber hand illusion

YouTube - Rubber hand illusion

try this! We wrote a similar experiment nearly 10 years ago in the Science Fair book.

Creatures rising among lava | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Creatures rising among lava | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Guess I can add Honolulu Advertiser to my list of articles published in newspapers. The editor made it shorter, but did a great job. My husband always says that it's time for me to go home when I begin writing random things to newspapers. No matter, it was really fun finding Ed and Archie and a thrill to see their work.

Archie in his studio and 2 more lava silhouettes

Here are two more images from the big island. This is my first day back in my office in more than 5 weeks and it's a little nuts here. More later.

Finding art in lava fields | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Finding art in lava fields | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Thanks to MB for his advice. This was so much fun to research and write.

Sea slug surprise: It’s half-plant, half-animal - LiveScience- msnbc.com

Sea slug surprise: It’s half-plant, half-animal - LiveScience- msnbc.com

While it is tempting to make a snide comment that most teen-aged boys are half slug and half plant, I will avoid this observation. This is really fascinating, and a fact which I wish I had about 2 months ago when we were writing the books on Animals and Plants. Guess we could have used the information in both books.

remarkable work of Eddie

The inspiration for Archie and Marcia's work can be found in the lava sculptures of Eddie. This retiree not only creates these pieces of art, but he also loves to sketch children as they dine in restaurants, presenting them with a drawing on a napkin as they leave the diner. Both he and his wife are avid ham radio operators and were proud to help out during the last earthquake whem communications were disrupted.

Archie and Marcia's sculptures

It's a good thing that the sculptors took photos of their work as the pieces tend to be stolen within days of installation. Due to lack of time, the parade of penguins in leis didn't quite make it onto the lava beds.

Tomorrow- work by Eddie

Amazing Hawaiian artists

For the last 4 weeks I have been on the hunt for the brilliant artists behind the lava sculputures. After much sleuthing, I managed to track down Eddie and Archie, the talented and eccentric men behind the guerilla art. I might also add, the incomparable Marcia, the other brain behind the best art project ever seen on the islands. As it turns out, Eddie- who is inspired by the natural forms created by the Madame Pele, finds formations that resemble creatures, and by adding a rock, here or there or a piece of coral cleaverly placed, creates imaginative forms. Eddie did't begin his journey into art until he retired in California. Turns out he had an undiscovered artistic bent and soon he was on his way to making bronze statues. He donated a bust of President Ronald Reagan, which is now on the aircraft carrier bearing the president's name. Eddie and his wife, Dorothy, moved to the islands, where the retiree began changing the local landscape in immaginative ways.

Enter Archie, who, when on his way to work noticed the fabulous lava creations Eddie had placed around the island. Archie and his partner, Marcia, are remarkable artists whose work you find in expensive art galleries and private collections. Both artists thought that it would be fun to do something whimsical. With spare wood, paint and a whole lot of humour, they began placing their own cut out creations around the lava. Knowing full well that their outlines could cause a serious car crash, they only placed their art in places where people could safely pull off the road to take photographs. How good are these designs? Well they have a short life span as people steal them. Some times the art is taken from one location, only to show up in another one.

I have all the images from both artists on a disc, but for some reason this computer declines to open the file. I will try again with another machine.

Soda Fountains Squirt Fecal Bacteria, Study Finds - ABC News

Soda Fountains Squirt Fecal Bacteria, Study Finds - ABC News

Soda pop, aka- carbonated sugary drinks, are not healthy, but this new report really brings new light as to why you might not want to reach for one of these beverages. Drink water from your own container.

VIDEO: Iguanas Fall From Trees During Florida's Cold Snap | WUSA9.com | Washington, DC |

VIDEO: Iguanas Fall From Trees During Florida's Cold Snap | WUSA9.com | Washington, DC |

Reptiles are cold blooded animals and this is what happens when the temperature drops a little too low.

horse in lava

see if you can find a horse in the lava when driving up to waikoloa village

eagles and bears

And here's some additional images of lava creatures. The first image is the large lava tube near the airport. All the lava pieces show a decided Canadian influence.

for my daughter

graffiti in Hawaii takes the form of white coral rocks placed on black lava. It's the best graffiti in the world because it doesn't damage any property and it uses things that wash up on the beach. this particular name is dear to me.

turtle in lava

look closely, this is not a turtle, but a slab of lava

hidden in lava

We've been spending our time finding cool sculptures in the lava. I'm having computer issues and cannot seem to access my drive, so some of these pictures might have to wait a week until I get home

YouTube - Lost Generation

YouTube - Lost Generation

I can't remember if I put this up last year, but here it is again. It's another perfect day here. Yesterday I went to the Natural Energy Lab at Keahole. It was someplace I've always wanted to go for the last 10 years and I finally made it. If you are on the big island check it out.

spinner dolphins

this guy is such a show off

great way to start the new year

What a day! I managed to track down the wonderful artist who is responsible for lava art on the big island. I'm going to meet with him later this week and I couldn't be happier! I can now find all the secret pieces on the island. This would make the best article.
We went out fishing or a boat ride in Kona. Saw spinner dolphins and not much more. The dolphins were jumping from the water and doing tricks. Took enough drugs not to be sick. Tonight it's the blue dragon musiquarium.

Partners sculpt each other to achieve their ideal selves: If successful, relationship goes well

Partners sculpt each other to achieve their ideal selves: If successful, relationship goes well

Happy New Year! After 35 years with my husband, it's funny to read this article about changing your spouse. I've always told my children that people are the way they are, and you can't fundamentally change anyone. Guess I was wrong