National Florida Day celebrates the day this region of the US officially became a state. No wonder it happened during a winter month. Florida seems to attract an entire bevy of odd characters. Watching the local news is practically a three ring circus. This season is my favorite all year. Moderate, even warm, days make … Continue reading Today is National Florida Day and all the strangeness that comes with it
Science
Today is National Winter Skin Relief Day
Before recently moving to Florida, I had spent 27 winters in the northern US (and 15 winters earlier in my life). I can assure you that my skin dried out, developed cracks and was a major irritation. The cold dry weather and extra dry indoor heating is a major contributor to the condition. But here … Continue reading Today is National Winter Skin Relief Day
Throwback Thursday – the Great American Smokeout
Usually I dedicate my Throwback Thursdays to joyous or quirky memories of the past. Today, not so much. Each year on the third Thursday in November, the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout. This is an annual social engineering event to encourage Americans to stop tobacco smoking. The Great American Smokeout challenges smokers … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – the Great American Smokeout
Daylight Savings returns to Save your Daylight!
Here we are again where you will, whether you like it or not, reset your clocks tonight before going to bed, so that when it reaches 2 AM, it will be 1 AM and then, in an hour, 2 AM again. Where does the time go? Let's be honest. Does this mean that your vehicle … Continue reading Daylight Savings returns to Save your Daylight!
The Autumnal Equinox will be different in Florida
The Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will be at 3:20 PM in the Eastern US time zone. Day and Night in balance. Heralding the great autumn season. Here in Florida there will be much less vivid fall colors than there was in the northeast. But the blessed relief from scorching temperatures and daily downpours … Continue reading The Autumnal Equinox will be different in Florida
Look out above for National Iguana Awareness Day
Some say that today* is National Iguana Awareness Day. Some will say that the day is to help educate you on how to better keep these lizards as pets. Others will tell you that it is to warn you they could fall out of trees on top of you.** That last one takes some explaining. … Continue reading Look out above for National Iguana Awareness Day
Today is World UFO Day
Today is the anniversary of the famous/infamous Roswell Incident in 1947. If you are not aware of the Roswell Incident, good for you, and what rock have you been living under? You can find the story related everywhere online and started this small industry and tourism attraction. The US Air Force has been denying it … Continue reading Today is World UFO Day
Maybe not on National Handshake Day
A strange thing happened during the recent pandemic last fall. Seasonal flu and other casually contagious diseases experienced a marked decline. Part of that was due to social distancing, widespread mask wearing and compulsive hand washing. Flu bugs can easily be transmitted during handshakes - and there was much less of that during the pandemic. … Continue reading Maybe not on National Handshake Day
Lightning Safety Awareness Week
The third full week in June is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. It is an effort by the National Weather Service to help increase lightning safety. It may be shocking to learn that lightning is one of the deadliest weather systems. Records kept by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show lightning in the United States … Continue reading Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Eureka! – I have discovered International Bath Day!
International Bath Day is celebrated every year on June 14 because it is classically considered the day of Archimedes' greatest discovery. I remember that day well. Let me explain. Archimedes (we called him Archie, but that's a story for another day) was a pretty smart fella and an innovative mathematician. He got the whole measurement … Continue reading Eureka! – I have discovered International Bath Day!
Got my second jab – Please get vaccinated
I got the second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine yesterday and am doing well. I have a pronounced soreness at the injection site, but not too bad. Please get yourself vaccinated if you haven't already. We need to put this long nightmare behind us by shutting off the probabilities of any further transmission. And … Continue reading Got my second jab – Please get vaccinated
Welcome Spring. Welcome Hope.
As winter turns to spring, despair and fear turns to hope. The earth reawakens. Welcome back Persephone. We've missed you. The earth reawakens. There is hope ahead. I have faith. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Ramble on Daylight Savings Time
We are at that time of year where before you go to bed you should turn your clocks ahead one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins again in the USA. Never mind that most clocks today are automatically controlled by SkyNet and just move the clock forward one hour at 2:00 AM so that you … Continue reading Ramble on Daylight Savings Time
First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
I've covered Manhattanhenge many times on this blog in the past. You can search the blog to find out the scientific detail but essentially it is the dates where the rising or setting sun perfectly aligns with the cross streets of Manhattan. Tomorrow is a rising sun date so set your alarm to be able … Continue reading First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
Winter Solstice 2020
Our ancestors were not distracted by streaming services and smart phones. They were much more focused on natural phenomenons. They charted stars and measured closely the rising and setting sun. Before they understood the tilting of the earth on its axis they knew. The winter solstice was the longest night and shortest day of the … Continue reading Winter Solstice 2020
Book Review: Longitude…
The full title of this book is "Longitude: The true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time" by Dava Sobel. A long title for a relatively short book. Ms. Sobel has written a fascinating and very readable book. First remember that before GPS and satellite guidance sailors had … Continue reading Book Review: Longitude…
Friday the 13th 2020
Today is Friday, November 13, 2020. A Friday the 13th in 2020. I'm not superstitious. Nope, not me. After all, the 13th day of a month falling on a Friday is a statistically normal phenomenon. It happens two or three times each year. It is just a coincidence, not an omen. 2020 has already had … Continue reading Friday the 13th 2020
National Read a Book Day
Reading books have been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a kid. I have not always had a chance to read regularly but the pandemic has slowed things down enough to provide an opening. While I have a large library of books, some of which are still on my reading list, my favorite … Continue reading National Read a Book Day
Here we go again with another Manhattanhenge
If you happen to be on the island of Manhattan this evening you will see the setting sun framed perfectly in the concrete canyons lining our cross streets. You can find many previous posts on this site explaining the science but the real thrill is the experience. Get to a crosstown street and today you … Continue reading Here we go again with another Manhattanhenge
Welcome Summer Solstice
This post is being published at the exact moment of the 2020 northern hemisphere summer solstice. Welcome to a new season and a new tilt on the old earth. May it bring good fortune, new outlooks and better times. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Manhattanhenge Marching
On this blog I have featured Manhattanhenge many times. How the New York City cross street grid perfectly frames the rising or setting sun four times a year because of the axial tilt of the earth. How the great Neil DeGrasse Tyson named it as a hat tip to the great Stonehenge of antiquity. The … Continue reading Manhattanhenge Marching
Social Distancing Sunset Manhattanhenge tomorrow
It is here again, (tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, 2020) that date when the setting sun aligns exactly with the east-west streets of the main grid in Manhattan. It has to do with the tilting of the earth on its axis that create our seasons. I've written about this before and you are welcome to look … Continue reading Social Distancing Sunset Manhattanhenge tomorrow
National Telephone Day in the age of COVID-19
During this lockdown period it is likely your screen time is increasing tremendously. Wonder how that played back in 1918 for the last pandemic when the telephone technology was relatively new. Take a look at this ad: A new way to stay in touch even in that early day. But not every home had a … Continue reading National Telephone Day in the age of COVID-19
Happy Odd Earth Day
Happy 50th anniversary of Earth Day in a most unusual time. With much of the world on stay at home orders for the last month research shows marked reductions in pollution all around the globe. We've always known that Earth's real problem is people. It took the current pandemic to make it demonstrably apparent. How … Continue reading Happy Odd Earth Day
A comprehensive New York Times look at COVID-19 – and a couple of cute takes
Stuck inside, one of my obsessions has been reading about the global pandemic to find meaning and thoughtful insights about our future, instead of the noise and conspiracy theories that abound. The New York Times this weekend published a thoughtful and detailed look at next steps. If you are not a subscriber you should still … Continue reading A comprehensive New York Times look at COVID-19 – and a couple of cute takes
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