Anne Sullivan, Helen’s “Teacher,” describes her initial encounters with Helen thus: As I began to teach her, I was beset by many difficulties. She wouldn’t yield a point without contesting it to the bitter end. I couldn’t coax her or compromise with her. To get her to do the simplest thing, such as combing herContinue reading ““Lessons in Obedience,” reading Helen Keller’s The Story of My Life”
Monthly Archives: February 2021
Rounding a Corner
Yesterday I think we rounded a corner on spring. In honor of the winter we are (hopefully?) leaving behind, I’d like to share some photos…and talk about birds. In addition to these photos I’d like to present some audio (the pictures in the video’s below aren’t mine). These are the songs I’ve heard the mostContinue reading “Rounding a Corner”
Why don’t trees freeze? Ice nucleation and winter photos.
Did you know that pure water droplets remain liquid until -37 degrees C (-34 F)1? This is because ice has to form around something, usually dust or tiny particulate matter in the atmosphere2. Trees exploit this fact to avoid internal ice damage during the winter. Trees produce proteins which attract ice formation (called ice nucleators)Continue reading “Why don’t trees freeze? Ice nucleation and winter photos.”
Carbon Footprint of the Mars Mission?
I have to admit I am one of the few people not particularly excited about space exploration. To put my cards on the table, I could care less whether we ever land a person on Mars. Recently on the radio I’ve been hearing about the Perseverance rover and whether or not there has been lifeContinue reading “Carbon Footprint of the Mars Mission?”
Buds of the Walnut Family
The walnut family, the Juglandaceae, have large, fuzzy buds (at least the ones in Indiana). I could be wrong, but I bet there’s a connection between the typically large, almost floral buds of walnuts and hickories and the fact that these trees have large, compound leaves—Black Walnut leaves can be up to 2 feet long,Continue reading “Buds of the Walnut Family”
Politics, Teaching, and Disability
The current moment is highly charged with political potential energy. It’s a new year, there’s a new president, and, on a more local level, we in Indiana are working on a new state budget. So I felt like this might be a good time to discuss a political issue not often brought up, particularly asContinue reading “Politics, Teaching, and Disability”
recycled paper clips 