oops. my bad.

British marine biologists have found what may be the oldest living animal — that is, until they killed it.

The team from Bangor University in Wales was dredging the waters north of Iceland as part of routine research when the unfortunate specimen, belonging to the clam species Arctica islandica, was hauled up from waters 250 feet deep.

Only after researchers cut through its shell, which made it more of an ex-clam, and counted its growth rings did they realize how old it had been — between 405 and 410 years old.

Another clam of the same species had been verified at 220 years old, and a third may have lived 374 years. But this most recent clam was the oldest yet.

"Its death is an unfortunate aspect of this work, but we hope to derive lots of information from it," postdoctoral scientist Al Wanamaker told London's Guardian newspaper. "For our work, it's a bonus, but it wasn't good for this particular animal."

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umm....OOOPS....

...of note...

as i was going through photos overnight, i noticed a strong similarity in these two pictures, and thought i would share them side by side (or @ least close to each other).

also interestingly, the photos were taken just about a year apart. the new one was last weekend, and the older one (younger Bryce) was taken on our way to a Halloween Festival for Cub Scouts last season. But that isn't the similarity....

YIKES! (oh, it is just Mike...)

Mike went to a halloween party tonight, and came back like this:

so i snapped a few pics of the downstairs, in the middle of being painted and stuff redistributed. yay!


very colorful. can't wait to piece it all back together!
way to go, TRACEY!!!!! :D

Maize Maze

ok, so it probably ISN'T technically MAIZE, but it works in the title. TMZBNME plus Krissy, Tyler, and Cameron went to the Vermont Corn Maze (www.vermontcornmaze.com) in North Danville this past Sunday. The weather could not have been better, and we had a wonderful time. Admittedly it was frustrating at times, but then again, shouldn't it be??

Here is a (backward) picture that I took of a picture hanging on the wall at the END of the maze. The little white lines are bridges (3). The start and finish are at opposite ends up top, so it LOOKS LIKE you can just scoot through. This is not the case, as these are actually part of the "Emergency Exit" route. Very much fun, and I truthfully cannot wait until next year to try it again. Each year is different!

Some housekeeping items

1) I apologize for not being able to answer my cell lately. Work is cracking down on cell phone use in the facility. I am able to sneak in some text messages, so this is probably the quickest way for me to be reached.

2) I am healthy. At least physically. Mentally...well...I am hanging in there. My 'bad' season is just around the corner, but I am determined to make it through this year with as little collateral damage as possible.

3) I will be trying to update this blog more frequently.

4) The family is well. Zach has recovered from the clavicle fx, Mike is doing well in school (Advanced Bio is giving him a run for his money!), Bryce is into just about everything, and Tracey (saving the best for last) is hanging in there, but getting increasingly frustrated with the SLOW progress with the hardwood floor project.

I uploaded some photos that I have taken with my cell phone. They can be viewed by (arregedry) (allegedly) following this link. (The picture is a link. Go ahead, click on it......)

Miscellaneous From Phone

Here, too, is an album of our family. Stay tooooned for an actual site which T and I will use to post pictures from our camera.

A few pix of the Family

Ok, Ok. and some MORE photos, taken over the past 4 years, of outdoor things. i really enjoy taking photos in nature, both with people and without. can't wait to get the opportunities to use the new camera!

boutdrz

new toy

Tracey (and I) got a new camera for her (and my) birthday(s). so of course we have been going nuts taking pictures. here are some. more to follow, and they will include other members of the family.

Signs of the times

This was plucked from another site that i watch...
www.mazurland.typepad.com, hosted by one of our Docs and his brothers/friends.
(try to resist the temptation to scroll to the end. the impact will be much better if you read the story in order.)

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?

Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

1. Teaching Math In 1950s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

2. Teaching Math In 1960s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100 His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1990s

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. )

6. Teaching Math In 2007

Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

too fast, too furious

the days are getting shorter, at least the daylight portion. many, many things happening, and i am sorry that i have not been able to keep up with all of them here online. i may have some time within the next few days to catch up, but here is what we worked on yesterday.
this is just a test model, based on memory of having seen one at a friend's house last weekend.