Science!

My second first-author paper is now available on the internet, and it's open access so anyone can read it.

And the paper Eric and I wrote together (Eric is first author!) is out too, also open access: read it here.

And another paper Eric and I are authors on is out, but it's not open access. But you can read the abstract if you want!

Dr. Chris Saski from Clemson visited last week, and we had a very nice meeting after which we all agreed it is a fine idea for me and Eric to be post-docs with him at Clemson. So that will be happening... if I get an extension of my current position then it will happen around next June, and if I do not then it will happen in January!

poem of the week

The Ant

The ant has made himself illustrious
Through constant industry industrious.
So what?
Would you be calm and placid
If you were full of formic acid?

Ogden Nash

poem of the week

Pictures coming soon, I promise!

Red Faces

Red flags the reason for pretty flags.
And ribbons.
Ribbons of flags
And wearing material
Reason for wearing material.
Give pleasure.
Can you give me the regions.
The regions and the land.
The regions and wheels.
All wheels are perfect.
Enthusiasm. 

- Gertrude Stein

poem of the week

After The Storm 

There are so many islands!

As many islands as the stars at night

on that branched tree from which meteors are shaken

like falling fruit around the schooner Flight.

But things must fall, and so it always was,

on one hand Venus, on the other Mars;

fall, and are one, just as this earth is one

island in archipelagoes of stars.

My first friend was the sea. Now, is my last.

I stop talking now. I work, then I read,

cotching under a lantern hooked to the mast.

I try to forget what happiness was,

and when that don't work, I study the stars.

Sometimes is just me, and the soft-scissored foam

as the deck turn white and the moon open

a cloud like a door, and the light over me

is a road in white moonlight taking me home.

Shabine sang to you from the depths of the sea.

Derek Walcott

The sadness of a four year old

Oscar is currently having a fit in his room because I split a twin pop to give him and John as a snack, and I gave John the right side first.

sick day

The boys are both sick so I am home with them today - I am probably getting sick too as I have put away the laundry, done dishes, baked scones, paid the bills, and am now posting on the blog - that kind of energy comes with a price!

First of all, John gets out of his crib by himself now. He's an extremist, that one. But careful too - note how he makes a landing pad for himself.


Second of all, the tulips are beginning to bloom! I had forgotten how silly and orange they all are, and it makes me very happy all over again to see them. Good choice, past Mog!

Third, we have been watching The Great British Baking Show. We have been watching a lot of shows about food, they are calm and soothing. This one is particularly nice because we can talk to each other while it's going on, and they make fantastical baked creations. We highly recommend it.

And finally, here are some pictures.

 

What a birthday party!

We feted John yesterday, when there was a sprinkling of snow in the morning and low gray clouds all day. Oscar helped me make a mud pie, which involved smashing the cookies of an entire package of oreos. We used the hammer at first, and then switched to the mortar and pestle (witch-style was far more successful, of course).

In the morning Eric's parents came up and we all went to Oscar's school's Chili Cook-off. It was not bad! A little loud, very friendly - and no one has gotten sick (yet).

John loved his presents, especially the turtle sandbox! They were playing in it all morning today - Oscar named it Elliot (the girl). And Oscar has been pretty good about sharing the toys with John, so far.

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday John!

He's one cool cat these days.

 Just born!

A year ago!

Poem of last week

A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period —
When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay —

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.

- Emily Dickinson

Spring is a good time for finding poems!

March weekend

Just your normal outside time in March:


These videos have basically no sound, I was spying on the boys from the bedroom window.


This was totally spontaneous - Oscar asked to water the Toba tree, so I turned on the hose. My attention then wandered, and when I looked back at the boys, there they were, naked in the tub. And very happy!

Oscar made a rocketship with a timer inside, that he was very proud of.

 John is a sweet cuddly boy.

These are the crocuses right outside the front door - I didn't even plant them! The rabbits haven't touched them, probably because they're so close to the house. They are huge.