Invasion: Alaska. I read the book!

I just finished reading "Invasion: Alaska" by Vaughn Heppner.  It's a great book set in the year 2032.

I really liked Heppner's ideas about future weaponry. I was impressed with the detail. This is of special interest to me since I coach Future Problem Solvers. The book would make a great case study for the students. I appreciate Heppner's efforts to keep the book "clean." I contacted him via email to see if there was a possibility of obtaining an edited or editable version of the book to make it "safe" for junior high students. To my surprise. Heppner replied quickly. He said he was not aware of a way to do that, but he thought it was a great idea. Additionally, he said he tries to keep his books "clean" since he found out that his nephews are reading his books.

Several years ago, I contacted the publishers of Michael Crichton's "Prey" with the same type of inquiry, but never received a reply. "Prey" would make a great futuristic case study for students, but there is just a bit too much inappropriateness in the book for my taste.

I think it's interesting that I just stumbled upon Heppner's books. I think one of my next reads will be his new book, "Accelerated."  Before I read this, however, I'm going to read Neil de Grasse Tyson's "Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier."  I received this as a gift from my son for Father's Day.

Welcome to Houston, Space Shuttle Replica

While I was out running errands today, I decided to drive by NASA JSC and Space Center Houston to see if I could catch a glimpse of Space Shuttle replica that Houston received over the weekend.

I saw the tail of the shuttle from NASA Parkway, so I u-turned and went north on Saturn Lane. There poking out through a grove of trees was the space shuttle, right across the street from the Saturn V and Mercury rockets. Two other space aficionados had pulled off the road to take some pictures, so I joined them. Our view was from the rear and partly blocked by the trees, even when standing on my truck. Here's my pic from that vantage point:

Then, I headed over to Space Center Houston to see if they would let me go into their parking lot to take some close-up pictures. I ended up having to pay the $6 parking fee, but I think it was worth it. Here are two more pics from the parking lot:

and

I also snapped this picture of one of the Orion Space Capsules just sitting in the parking lot:

I'm happy that NASA JSC in Houston ended up with a space shuttle memory, but it still grates on my nerves that the "real" shuttles went elsewhere. I found it ironic that Space Shuttle Enterprise was damaged today on its way to NYC.

Decoration Day and Buddy Poppies

I hope you all have a chance to do something meaningful today to honor those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and the freedom of people around the world.

One of my earliest memories of Memorial Day was while visiting my grandparents in Winchester TX. The were life-long members of St Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church. LCMS. My parents were married in that church in 1956, and I was baptized there in 1958. My grandmother, Clara Amanda nee Mitschke Zoch, would always be involved with Decoration Day activities at the church's cemetery.  As I remember, church members would spruce up the cemetery in general (kind of a spring cleaning), and then make sure flowers and flags were on all deceased veterans' graves.  Being Lutheran, I'm sure there was a pot-luck social of some type.  Even though the name was officially changed to Memorial Day in the 1960s, this was always Decoration Day for my grandmother.

Another Memorial Day tradition that you don't see much of these days is the sale of "Buddy" Poppies.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) began the Buddy Poppy campaign back in 1922 to help support disabled and needy veterans. It is my understanding that this campaign still exists, but I have not seen a Buddy Poppy in quite some time. When I was in school in the 1960s and 1970s, it was common for students to sell Buddy Poppies. Perhaps this is one more tradition that has been sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.

The Chicken Coop Chronicles: The Coop is Built! #chickenchat

The new coop is complete! It's much smaller than I imagined, but should be perfect for 2 or 3 hens to get us started. Here's the video tour of the outside (excuse the audio. it was windy, yo!):

Here's a picture of the completed coop. Looks a lot like the picture online!

Here's a picture in the screened yard looking at the ladder and up into the roost and nest area:

Here's  a picture of the inside roost area looking into the nesting area:

Our chickens even have a nice window from the roost area!

Here's the view from the chicken's window. Pay no attention to the man on the left.

Latest Installment of the Chicken Coop Chronicles #chickenchat

The chicken coop that we ordered arrived on Friday (some assembly required). I'm about ready to begin to start putting it together. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I haven't yet finished building the fence panels for the chicken yard (it's on the list).

My immediate challenge is to transform this:

and this:

into this:

http://images.hayneedle.com/mgen/master:AVK013.jpg?is=1600,1600,0xffffff

for the likes of:

Disclaimer: These chicks were at D&D Feed and Saddlery in Pearland TX USA. The actual residents of Unklar's chicken coop will be special-ordered. No chicks were injured in the taking of this picture.

I guess blogging about this is not going to get the job done. Stay tuned for the next installment of the Chicken Coop Chronicles #chickenchat.

QR Code for my Blog

Just playing around with QuickMark today. Trying to think of innovative ways to use QR codes in the classroom now that we are piloting BYOD.

My wife just received this email from Santa

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the elves and reindeer, I have found it necessary to deliver one of your gifts a bit early this Christmas.

To ensure that you do not forfeit this gift, the following rule is immediately in place:

You are forthwith and hereby forbidden to look upon the front porch of your house until Christmas morning. This includes, but is not limited to, prohibition against: looking out of the window in your dining room; gazing toward your front porch as you drive along the county road in front of your property; gazing toward your front porch as you drive along your drive way; walking in your yard beyond the side of your house facing your flower garden; walking anywhere in your front yard; walking anywhere in your front pasture; and any and all possible situations not covered here that might allow you to gaze upon your aforementioned gift.

Your cooperation is appreciated. Merry Christmas!!!

 

Sincerely, 

Santa Claus

North Pole