Our doves hatched and grew up in the back yard. The babies stayed pretty much in the shrubberies of the berm, but now and then ventured out into the open to catch some rays.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
World DEMs
I found a site that has digital elevation models for the entire planet from a Space Shuttle radar mapping mission. I modified my Excel programs to work with the file format and now I'm able to make colored maps of anywhere. I know, I know, Google Earth can do that, but not really, and I've been tweaking on my Excel app since before Google Earth and Terra Server were accessible. There's some satisfaction in seeing my own output.
Here are some random snapshots of our planet. They're all 1920 pixels wide to be used as wallpaper. To really appreciate them, you'll have to view them at full size. There are a lot of fine details that don't show up in the thumbnails below.
If/when I ever finish school, I'd like to try some super hi-resolution prints on our large-format printer at work. If you have any place on earth that you'd like to see, let me know.
SW Lybian sand dunes
The Emi Koussi volcano and the Arounga meteorite crater in Chad
SW Iran. Persian Sea is the black at the SW corner.
Samarkand, Southern Uzbekistan
Iceland. The big smooth pink-ringed patch on the right is the glacier/icecap over the Bardarbunga volcano that's erupting right now.
Rio Somiloes in NE Brazil
Southern Michigan
Coteau des Prairies, South Dakota / Minnesota
NW Territories, Canada, Eh.
The MacKenzie River is at SW corner, Great Slave Lake is on the east edge.
Rumblin Man
CP has been eyeing a sweet bass at Guitar Center. They had a huge sale for Labor Day, so he got his b-day present early. Every day, he's down in the basement rocking out to MCR, the Dead Kennedys, the Ramones, and Rise Against on Rocksmith and the 100 watt bass amp. It's fun to feel the house rumble to the tune of Anarchy in the UK. Good thing that everyone in the neighborhood has their windows closed.
Homecoming
CP went to homecoming last night with a date and two other cute girls. They went to dinner and then to the dance. CP's date is wearing a vintage dress from her great aunt from 1929. She was fired up about it.
Cat trap
Any time we get a new box, it only takes about 20 seconds before we snare a cat in it. They absolutely cannot ignore an empty box.
Must. Sit. In. Box.
Late Summer Spiders
For whatever reason, we've had spiders everywhere this summer. It must have something to do with all the rain. Towards the end of summer, we get these big perfect-web ones on the deck and in the roses. This one caught a big wasp a few hours after I took this photo. She wrapped it up in silk and then dragged it off to her lair.
Dog sitting
We're fortunate to have good neighbors that have fun dogs that need babysitting. They're a pair of King Charles spaniels, and all they want to do is be with people.
It doesn't matter who, they just need to be held.
Husker 2014 Season Opener
The G's hosted a pool party for the opening Husker game. Everyone showed up, including some spectacular weather. I think we went thru 40 hot dogs and brats, plus burgers, BBQ brisket, salad, and nachos. We had so much fun that we just turned on a radio rather than giving up the perfect day and watching the tube inside.
After the game, we hit the deck at the lodge and continued to enjoy the perfect weather.
JP had a praying mantis that wanted her wine as much as she did. The bug has good taste.
He is Everywhere
I've seen images of Him in tortillas, burned toast, and birthmarks, but never on a pug's butt.
New Margaritas Set
Over the course of the summer, JP has been watching the price drop on a beautiful set of four margaritas glasses and pitcher. At $9.99, she could resist no longer, so we now have some big thick bubbly glass margaritas glasses and a pitcher. She would have bought two sets, but we're out of cabinet space.
Storm Shadow
I had to go up to one of our plants in beautiful Windom, MN, to supervise a new model that's starting production there this year. On the way back, I was treated to some spectacular storm clouds from a storm over Grand Island (150 miles west of where I was on I-29). We raced each other to Lincoln. As the sun set, a rising cloud projected its shadow on the anvil of the big storm.
Ribfest!
Since we moved to Lincoln nine years ago, we've always wanted to go to Ribfest. This year, the event was moved to the parking lot north of the new arena and the entrance fee was dropped from $15 to $5. We and our friends took all the kids and went to sample some tasty vittles. We went early, hoping to avoid the crowds. There were no crowds, but the sun was out in full force and it was scorching hot.
The vendors all had ginormous setups and the place felt more like a carnival than a food festival. The food was excellent - we tried some ribs, chicken, and pulled pork. The boys love meat of any kind. It was so nice to be able to give them a few bucks and let them wander around on their own; they are getting to be so mature!
We caught the tail end of the first band and stayed until the next one started. The boys were fired up that the bass player had the same instrument as we do, but after a few songs, the boys decided that they had had enough. Live music is fun, but it has to be good music, too.
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