Apopheniac

A New Dawn in America

2008-11-05T13:29:55Z

To borrow a phrase. Last night the American people spoke and we are on a new and better track.

Sunset Weather Balloon

2008-09-28T01:27:11Z

We stepped out front this evening at dusk and saw a bright object in the sky . . . to early, too large and too bright to be a star; too small to be the moon. We got the binoculars and this is what they revealed, high in the heavens.

First Fruits

2008-08-16T20:48:33Z

Just ate the first nectarine and first fuji apple from the trees we planted last year . . . delicious.

My Great New Battery Charger

2008-08-03T12:40:08Z

Like many modern families we have need for a lot of batteries. Rechargeable wireless mouse, digital camera, flashlight are frequently hungry for more power. After a couple of years of recharging we had a number of questionable batteries that didn't seem to recharge. Because we use them in pairs and the weakest battery hobbles the pair, it was a chore to find the bad ones and all we could do with them was throw them away. The Powerex MH-C9000 makes those issues things of the past.

It analyzes batteries and displays their true capacity. It discharges a charged battery and displays its actual discharge capacity. It breaks in new batteries for maximum capacity and reconditions questionable ones. It can even raise batteries from the dead, and if it can't it tells you they are gone so you may shed them and move on.

If your household uses a lot of double and triple-A batteries, I heartily recommend it. We got ours from Newegg and it came with 4 of the new AA rechargeables that come fully charged and hold their charge for a year . . . perfect for my digital camera. Link

Serious Summer Pleasures

2008-08-02T20:47:53Z

Homegrown peaches and Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

Lubbock Greyhound Terminal Closes

2008-08-01T20:24:18Z

At the age of 8, I was so proud when I took my first unescorted bus trip across Texas to spend the summer with my grandmother. My parents put me on the bus in Dallas and my grandmother drove 50 miles from Olton to meet the bus in Lubbock. In those days it was a Continental Trailways terminal but it has remained virtually unchanged for all those decades. As bus traffic declined the restaurant closed but the rest of the terminal is as it was when I got off that bus as a boy. Now it is closing. The Greyhound buses will now load and unload passengers at the Lubbock Citibus terminal. Click the link to my flickr photo set. Link

Summer Lightning

2008-06-22T10:06:26Z

Quite a storm cell came through Lubbock the other night and Jean's sister Gerry went out on her front porch and started snapping pictures. When she downloaded them to her computer she saw that she had caught this one.

Stereo-optical again.

2008-06-18T00:48:52Z

Today I had cataract surgery on my left eye. My right eye was done last month, so now I will be able to see clearly from both.

New Garden Tractor

2008-06-07T21:21:35Z

Faced with another year of mowing three lots through the Texas summer, I invested in sanity and comfort. This little hummer mows a four foot path at a gallop. I am so pleased. Thanks to Mary Garcia for hauling it from Home Depot to our home in her pickup.

Free Real-Time Stock Quotes from Google Finance.

2008-06-03T08:29:38Z

I was fascinated to see that Google Finance is now offering free real-time stock quotes. Leave it to Google.

Twenty-Seven Years * * Happy Anniversary

2008-05-28T03:43:09Z

There is a website which asks you to write a six word memoir.
Mine would have to be: "Found true love. Happily ever after."
Thank you Mrs. MacManus

Memorial Day Gratitude

2008-05-26T14:19:40Z

From the birthing of the nation, brave and selfless Americans have shelved their personal priorities and stepped forward to serve their country. Millions have served and hundreds of thousands have given Lincoln's "last full measure of devotion." Today we pause to remember and give thanks. We owe them that and so much more. We owe full benefits to today's veterans and above all we owe them that we not squander the blood and loyalty of our sons and daughters on foreign adventures and fool's errands.

Wonders of the Web: Phoenix Landing

2008-05-26T14:00:23Z

Last night we watched the HD video feed at nasa.gov as the Phoenix lander touched down on Mars. What a world of technological wonders we live in. (Photo is by Lawrence Ho of Reuters.)

Nine Days Since the Surgery

2008-05-23T03:05:58Z

I hadn't realized so much time had passed since the surgery. It has been a delightful and clearly seen week. My vision is better than it has been in fifteen years. I can see all but reading close clearly with no glasses. Reading takes less correction than my distance vision did before the cataract. I scheduled the other eye for surgery in June. It's cataract was not so pronounced but is more noticeable now in comparison to my clear right eye. I am so pleased and could not be more enthusiastic in my recommendation of Dr. Khater and this procedure.

Day After Cataract Surgery

2008-05-14T19:05:47Z

Jean and Kirk drove me to the doctor's office this morning for my post surgery check up and he said I looked fine. The bandage came off. He said my vision would improve over the next week, but it is already substantially improved. I can read this as I type without my glasses, though it is a little blurry. It is interesting to notice the difference between the vision in my left eye and my newly restored right. Without glasses the vision in my right is clearer and better focused. (My left eye also had a cataract, though not as large as the one removed from the right eye.) The vision in my left eye is brighter and their is a slight color difference. I'll post further developments as they unfold.