All day today, the weather folks have been telling us about a winter storm headed our way. By this time tomorrow, the Madison area is suppose to have 5-7 inches of new snow on the ground.

After supper tonight, I needed to head to the store for a few groceries. When I got there I couldn’t believe the number of cars in the parking lot. Lines at the checkout were so long it was like the day before Thanksgiving. It looked to me like people were buying enough provisions to last for weeks. I only had a few things on my list and that’s all I bought (made it out pretty quick in the 15 items or less lane). I was not about to succumb to the hype before the storm.

There’ve been a couple of interesting science stories in the news lately. First, marine biologists have discovered what can best be described as a furry lobster in the South Pacific. Every time scientists discover a new species on our planet I’m amazed. Humans have been on the Earth for how long, and we’re still seeing things we’ve never encountered before.

Yesterday, NASA announced their Cassini spacecraft has photographed water geysers spouting from one of Jupiter’s moons. Scientists are speculating that having geysers on the small moon could mean it has “a warm, water-based environment reasonably close to the surface — one that could be conducive to living organisms.”

Discoveries like these are exactly why we need to maintain funding for exploring our universe, both on and off our humble little world. I wonder how many other exciting things are out there, just waiting to be discovered.

Today while visiting the eye doctor for a checkup, I got one of the proverbial signs of aging. I need bifocals.

It wasn’t exactly a big surprise to me. Over the past six months or so, I’ve been looking underneath my glasses to read small print. When the eye doctor first entered the exam room, she asked me if I had any problems or concerns. I told her that I wasn’t having any problems, but that she was probably going to tell me that I should get bifocals. She then asked, “Are you okay with that?”

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At an appointment with my physical therapist yesterday, I was congratulated by her. She felt I had “graduated” and would not have to come any longer.

It’s been twelve weeks now since I broke my wrist and had the subsequent surgery. I have had regular “dates” with my therapist since the end of August. First twice a week, and for about the past month it was at once a week. As she pointed out yesterday, I’ve come a long way.

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The lead story in yesterday’s paper was the devastating earthquake in Pakistan. Authorities are now predicting as many as 30,000 deaths as a result of the quake. The U.N. is reporting 2.5 million people in the affected area are homeless. Statistics of that magnitude are difficult for me to comprehend.

In the editorial section of that same paper were two opposing viewpoints on whether intelligent design should be taught in public schools, which caused me to wonder:

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It’s been six weeks since I broke my wrist (a distal radius fracture to be technical) and had surgery, and I’ve been told I’m coming along nicely. My physical therapist is putting me to work though, currently with all kinds of stretching exercises. With the trauma and immobilization, tendons in your wrist and fingers can really tighten up (take my word for it). Right now my injured wrist can bend vertically about 80 degrees. Compare that to how far your own wrist can bend.

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Imagine, being told to evacuate the city you live in and later finding out your home, your possessions and your job are all gone because of the destruction. Worse yet, imagine being one of those who were unable, or chose not to heed the evacuation warnings who are without drinking water, food, shelter or means of communicating to the outside world. Seeing the scenes left in Hurricane Katrina’s wake, I can’t begin to understand what the people there are going through.

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The stereotypical view of car mechanics (lying to your face so they can get their next boat payment out of your wallet) is probably fueled by ignorance — not ignorance of mechanics, but ignorance of automobiles. I’ve been in situations where mechanics try and use my ignorance to scare me into getting things done. It’s especially difficult when you’re pulling into the garage of a mechanic that you’ve never had a prior relationship with. I speak from experience, having moved seven months ago (has it been seven months already?).

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