Month: September 2010

We call them katydids, but the British call them bush-crickets. They are also sometimes called long-horned grasshoppers. This one landed on my hand today. I flicked it off, and it was still in the same spot when I came out with my camera a moment later.

Another Critter Day, another visit by the wonderful Tony Lulek, beekeeper. The bees are really fascinating to the kids and the adults, and the kids especially enjoy trying on some of the gear.

Every now and again, a piece of art appears in the Fort Point Channel. At least they tell me it’s art. I don’t know; I’m not an art person. Put me in the MFA and I’m pretty much done in 15 minutes. I’m sure this floating sculpture is making a statement of some kind; that is, other than, “hmm, I have some plastic crap that will probably float. let’s find out.” I don’t know. I just don’t get it.

I wonder what the gull makes of it, though…

I had today off so I went to the local farmer’s market. It was packed; I had to park quite a few blocks away. There were a bunch of kids there too, and I was wondering why there was no school already when 2 girls explained they were on a field trip (to a farmer’s market?). Anyway, there was lots of tasty stuff to be had and it was a beautiful day too.

so the story here isn’t really about the subject of the picture (it just caught my eye), but of the taking of the picture. I was kneeling in the middle of sidewalk, and nobody stopped for a sec to let me take me picture. In fact, nobody even bothered to go behind me. They all just walked right in front of me, mostly on their phones. More proof that the average person does not pay any attention to things happening outside their immediate space.

I often see this skyline when I am driving west on the Pike and think what a nice picture it would make, but too bad I can’t take one just then. But today, Doug and I went to the SoWa Market in the South End, and on the way back, we walked right over the Pike. Seemed silly to not take advantage of the opportunity.

I told my boss I had to go home early tonight to make some vitamin C indicator. She said that was fine.

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstach into enough water to make paste.

2. To this paste, add 250 milliliters of water and boil for 5 minutes.

3. Add 10 drops of the starch solution to 75 milliliters of water (use an eyedropper).

4. Add enough iodine to produce a dark purple-blue color. Now your indicator solution is ready.

There’s a new art installation at work. It’s called “Heavy Metal” and features the work of several artists who use “found objects” in their work, particularly metal objects. This piece, called “magic hat” is among my favorites.  I suspect that many people will not recognize these bottlecaps, and thus will not get the pun.

a close-up of the bottlecaps:

Fish aren’t like real pets. They’re more like living decorations. But it is also very soothing to watch them, though I’m not sure quite why that is.

People who work in education and/or exhibits are familiar with fake food and the wide variety of it that you can purchase. But really, taking this picture was just an excuse for me to post a link to this awesome song about toy food.