Warning Re: Adobe Flash Player

You might not even know that your computer has downloaded the new Adobe Flash Player but if it has, then you are allowing sites P2P access to your computer! What you need to do is go to Google and sear ch under Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager. The Adobe Flash help site should come up. Go to it and then on the left select the global privacy options. You will be shocked! The defaults allow most sites to access your computer. A box on the right will appear. Select each icon at the top of the box and choose your options. Wow -- what company arrogance!

Keep It Up!

K, we are SO happy that you are doing so well!!! Keep it up. Way to go girl!

Congratulations O

Congratulations to Gravity's nephew! Enjoy college and get the most out of it. Dance the night away!!

P.S. Enjoy your new home in Hanover too.

Cockroaches and 24

There is a new species of cockroach -- Periplaneta jackbauericus. This insect is amazing. It can be stabbed in the side and yet still keep going for hours -- leaping, jumping, fighting it way through adversity. And it can get stabbed for a second time in the same spot with only a slight decrease in activity! Truly amazing!

Pollen

This year has been the worst year since Gravity and October moved to VA for pollen. It is covering cars with a thick yellow coat. The good news is, it will be finished soon!

Go Chloe!

24 has improved since Chloe has begun to kick-sas (anagram). And the dumb blonde who is dumber than dumb has turned evil. Last season of the show so enjoy it while it lasts!

2010 Olympics

We are completely enjoying the Olympics here. Every day, we are watching downhill, short rack, snowboarding, curling, figure skating, etc. with complete enjoyment.

Curling has provided us with particular enjoyment. But a big questions has been raised: does yelling at the rocks make a difference? Thought to ponder.

WARNING for Windows Users

WARNING -- Windows has an update for Vista and XP PCs that gives you the blue screen of death over and over again. If this happens to you, do a system restore to a previous point and then turn automatic updates off.

Our Mining Road

When we first moved into this house we realized that we had an old road going through the property. Here it is in the snow today.

Our Yard Sculptures

Tuesday's Snow Moved To Wednesday

Here We Go Again...And Maybe Tuesday Too

Snow Here

24 Guess

So here is my season guess. The red haired FBI agent will change her name to "Jane Bauer". The Middle-eastern brother is going to marry the President, now that she is divorced. Jack will almost die but not quite (keep in mind that, like Kafka's "Metamorphosis", he is cockroach so he can't be killed). Chloe is end up being the new CTU head. And the Russian whose hand had an "accident" last night, will grow it back -- no, wrong show -- that's "Fringe".

Health Reform

We have written to our senators and congressman about the current health reform bill. Please write to yours. They need to hear from everyone.

Happy 2010!!

End of a decode and beginning of another one. There is also a blue moon tonight!

Muck

We have had so much rain that there are standing puddles everywhere. Even though we have many mature trees, just too much precipitation has fallen. With three dogs, we have set up a drying area by the front door with stacks of towels so the yard muck does not become house yuck! When spring comes, hopefully the yard will dry.

Enjoying The Sun

December Snow

Here in VA we do not get December snows very often but boy did we get a load this weekend. Gorgeous today as the sun is out (and we never lost electricity -- hooray).

Rain and more rain.

Both Gravity and October have lived in VA since 1980, so almost 30 years. With the exception of tropcial storms such as Isabell (where the rain comes in many inches all at once and then quickly disappears), neither of them have seen so much rain before. The last storm dumped over 1.5 inches in only a few hours. Every time it rains now, lakes form all over the acre+ of land. The dogs want it to stop - the humans want it to stop - the cats do not care but they miss the sunshine.

Happiness is a choice.

Fall Leaves

We have only done the leaves twice but each time has been a lot of effort for all of us, even the teenager. Rains keep bringing them down in droves! But soon we will miss the color. Love, love Virginia!

Fright Night

We had fun at Fright Night last night at the local college where Gravity is on the adjunct faculty. Great idea!

Quantum Leap

Now that we have finished "DS 9", we have moved on to "Quantum Leap". What a fun show. We saw the one with Stephen King as a character when he was young tonight. Excellent writing and acting.

Montpelier Art Center Adventure

Last Friday evening, we went to Montpelier Art Center for an opening of a show for three women artists and got a surprise. The art center also had a Bluegrass group playing. It was fun to walk the center (which is an old high school dating back to the 1926), view paintings and listen to Bluegrass.

Art Affair

Go to the Art Affair to see terrific art!

Raktajino Recipes

Raktajino: Klah Version
2 Tbs. Sweet ground chocolate
1/2 cup dark cocoa
3/8 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Dark Roasted Coffee, ground fine (French Roast or Italian Roast)
Pinch of nutmeg

Raktajino: House of Kasara blend
1 1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
6 Tbs. Dark Roasted Coffee, ground fine (French Roast or Italian Roast)
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Note: lightweight Terran friends may prefer a mix made with 3 tablespoons of instant coffee.
Makes approximately 14 servings.For both versions mix all ingredients together, and store in airtight container.To serve, use 3 teaspoons to 3/4 cup not-quite-boiling water. When served, the drink should be thick, much like hot cocoa

Strawberry Kiwi Salad

Super simple and great salad packed with nutrition. Strawberry and kiwis chunks in a bowl; you can add blueberries too. we ate it au naturale but you can put poppy seed dressing on it also.

Yes It Exists

On route 60 here in Virginia. I love buffalo burgers!

Yummy Day

The weather here today is great. It is hot but fairly dry for here; and there is a nice breeze. So Gravity and I went kayaking. Awesome! What a great day.

Weather Patterns

We must be in a "weather pattern". More storms are on their way. Okay by us. It is saving water bill $$$ due to no need to set up the sprinklers for the gardens.

Yuk

All three of us have a bug. Not a "I want to roll up in a corner and die because I feel like crap" bug; but a "I am spending too much time in the bathroom" bug. Ho hum.

VA Economy

Compared to other locations, Virginia's economy is doing really well even though we do have a slump.. During the past month, about six homes inn our neighborhood sold for high prices ($350,000 to $5000,000+) which is really good! I just love Virginia!

Evolution

Years ago, October raised the question "Does evolution change?" This questions was raised again by Gravity -- "does Evolution evolve?" Interesting question and we would love to have your comments. We have opened up comments (with comment moderation -- your comment will not post right away -- in order to prevent the inappropriate comments received in the past.) so please let us know what you think!

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The comments are not showing (not sure what is wrong) so email me. Thanks.

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P wrote in an email:

Yes, I believe evolution evolves. I also believe that evolution can speed up or slow down, depending on environmental stimulus.

I read an article about six months ago. A study had found that, under the right conditions, a mother can pass altered genes to her offspring to help deal with a changing environment in just one generation. I read this article on the Internet (Yahoo science, I think) and I wish I could remember more about it. I think the study was done on humans, but I'm not sure at this point. I'll do some research and send a link if I can find the article again. It definitely provides at least a partial answer to your question.

"Survival of the fittest" should change with time and circumstance, by its very definition. However, this seems to happen more slowly. Our stress response is a good example. At one point, stress chemicals produced by our bodies played an important role in the survival of our species, by making it possible to fight or run away from a dangerous situation. Now, those chemicals are still produced in response to what is perceived as a threatening situation, however, it's often not a situation from which we can run. In this instance, those chemicals and frequent exposure to them seem to do us more harm than good. The question is, will this change with time in our modern society? A behavior that was a good survival mechanism thousands or a million years ago isn't so frequently necessary now, yet we still have it. It really hasn't been that long since we did need it, in evolutionary terms. And it is still necessary at times. Will we evolve a way to deal with that response when we can't run away?
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P also wrote:

I have another thought regarding evolution. If evolution does evolve, and is influenced by environmental factors, how will technology effect our evolution? Technological innovation on a modern scale has been a major influence in our lives for only the last 100 to 150 years. How will this eventually affect us and our evolution?
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October writes:

The need to earn money as a means for survival of our species also changed things; although it is still survival of the fittest. Perhaps it is because we are at the top of the food chain, and our only predators are other humans, that we do not need to worry about things like blending into the environment so predators will not eat us. The characteristics important to our survival are those associated with earning money like brains, looks, creativity, etc. -- this is true worldwide with only a few exceptions. Even in very tribal and rural areas of the World, earning money or whatever means of exchange, is what is important.

Final Season of Monk

Some people can't wait until the final season but we can. When it comes, we will savor each episode, enjoying each funny quip. If the season takes forever to start and then takes forever to end, that is okay. We have enjoyed the journey.

Watermelon Salad

Another recipe from our friend K. Haven't tried it yet but here it is:

Bits of romaine salad, watermelon chunks, cherry tomatoes, chives, and vinaigrette dressing.

DS9

We have begun to watch episodes of DS9 back-to-back. Last night we watched the episode "Crossover" where Kira Nerys and Dr. Bashir find themselves in a parallel universe.

The episodes is very well scripted; and in fact, refers back to the episode from the original Star Trek where Kirk finds himself in a parallel universe.

However, what is the probability that in parallel universes there would be so many people who were so similar? Slim to none. Butterfly effect. Chances are even a tiny difference at the point of divergence would create most things different and not related. Similar people existing would occur one in millions, if that. But, also, however, that would lead to a dull story!!!

Dokapon Kingdom

All three of us have begun to play Dokapon Kingdom on the Wii. Gravity and October began as warriors and Esh began as a magician. Currently, Gravity is a monk, Esh is a cleric and October is a ninja! Almost all of the game, Esh has been ahead as he owns a castle! Fun game!

Billy Mays

I remember the first time I saw Billy Mays on an Oxy-clean commercial -- I turned down the volume. His passing is so sudden. Now we are only left with the barker who states in the "Slappy Chopper" commercial, "You]ll love my nuts!" Ho-hum.

Shock

No one here can believe that Michael Jackson is dead. Such a shock. He was a genius. He gave so much to our culture and yet he never really had freedom. It is hard to be different.

172 Fabulous Shows

We just finished watching all 172 episodes of Star Trek: Voyager show and completely enjoyed it. With many humorous episodes, it is my favorite Star Trek show.

Where In The House Is Our Little Gnomie #1

Greeting guests
I give my best.
Sitting by space time
I feel just fine.

Where in the house is our little Gnomie? [Remember the Hints page listed in the links.]

Where In The House Is Our Little Gnomie?

Well he moves around the house from the bath to the library,
He's a six fingered creature with a red hat and a beard.
He'll take you somewhere dark and then somewhere airy,
Tell me... where in the house is our little gnomie?

We are beginning a new riddle series!

New Break Room

We have finished creating our "break room' and have begun to thoroughly enjoy it. This is where we have our evening meal when we want to relax; and where we play computer games,
and relax at night.

House Shuffle Puzzle

Today, we will continue on our house shuffle puzzle. We are rearranging items in our house so we will have a game room in the downstairs library. In fact, our current upstairs library will partially dissolve into a miscellaneous furniture room. Ho-hum. It will be great to have a "break" room but what a lot of work! Friends will love it though.

25 Years of Tetris

Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season began June 1 and so far, no hurricanes although we have already had Tropical Depression One. Here in Virginia, we truly hope this is a very light season as we are currently living in a monsoon. So far this month, we have had 6 inches of rain. The clay is soggy, with a similar texture to pudding. If strong winds hit, trees will topple, and electricity will go for weeks. The predictions are more hurricanes than normal but they often involve the Gulf and they are often inaccurate. So we will have to wait and see.

It's 40

Yup. It's 40 this year. Sesame Street began in 1969. We are all watching and enjoying it today. We have learned about things that begin with "J", the number 13 and all about our feet!

Swine Flu

We all know that the swine flu virus is man-made and there is a huge cover-up concerning its origin. But what they aren't telling people is it all began as a computer virus that mutated to infect humans! Government keeps such big secrets!

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Further investigation showed that the computer virus started on Apples. Of course pigs eat apples so they got the swine flu. As advertised, eating pork will not give you the swine flu. However, using Apple computers might! Beware!!!!!

New Blog

We have added a new blog! See the links.