If you want to play, go here: Anna has a Project Yellow going on this week.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
ABC Wednesday - Year 2 -- #13 and Project Yellow 2
Project Yellow
Go here if you would like to join us for ABC Wednesday. . . Mrs Nesbitt
This is called hairpin LACE crochet. You can see in the photo above, a close up of the rows of hairpin LACE that make up the baby blanket. I still have to finish the edges.
The tool for Hairpin LACE is a simple machine -- here, it is showing how I single crochet up the middle of it and the rows of LACE it makes..
These are 3 hats and scarves made of Hairpin LACE that I made for an orphanage in Mexico. We sent them 100 sets. I got in on the tail end of the project.
Some of the Hairpin LACE scarves I made for the Veteran's Hospital Bazaar and for the Valentine Red Scarf Project for orphans and foster kids in college.
These famous arches are yellow and they have a friend on top too -- if you want to enlarge, click on the photo.
If you want to play, go here: Anna has a Project Yellow going on this week.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Project Yellow
Monday, April 07, 2008
Building Bridges -- April 2008 and ODD SHOT MONDAY
If you are here for ODD SHOTS, please scroll down.
RuneE is sponsoring this monthly challenge on the first Monday of every month. Building Bridges is subject to open interpretation.
This "bridges between" meme has challenged me to think beyond the normal bridges we see on the water. I have some great ones of those since I live on the Washington side of the Columbia River. One day, I will also share them on this meme but today I decided I wanted to show a different kind of bridge. I like that this challenge is just once a month because then I have time to really think out my entry.
PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS.
I ran across this photo I had taken last year of two spiders in side by side webs and my mind began to think of the bridges spiders make to trap their prey. The web construction itself is also a bridge for the spider to build the finished product.
I found this information in Wikipedia:
How spiders make webs
A orb weaver web anchored in a fork of a peach tree in winter
Spiders have several spinneret glands located at their abdomen which produce the silken thread. Each gland produces a thread for a special purpose. Seven different gland types have currently been identified, although each species of spider will possess only a few of these types, never all seven at once.
Normally a spider has three pairs of spinnerets, but there are spiders with just one pair or as many as four pairs of spinnerets, with each spinneret having its own function.
During the process of making a web the spider will use its own body for measurements, a very practical and ergonomic design feature of any web. This will allow the spider to move quickly and efficiently around its own web with very few faults. It will start with the most difficult part of construction, the first thread. The spider effectively utilizes the wind to carry its initial adhesive thread. With some luck the silk is released from its spinners and carried by the wind to a suitable adherable surface.
When it sticks to a surface the spider will carefully walk over the thread and strengthen it with a second thread. This process is repeated until the primary thread is strong enough to support the rest of the netting. After strengthening the first thread the spider will continue to make a Y shaped netting. The first three radials of the web are now constructed. More radials are added making sure that the distance between each radial is small enough to cross. This means that the number of radials in a web directly depends on the size of the spider plus the size of the web. After the radials are complete the spider will fortify the center of the web with about five circular threads. Then a spiral of non-sticky, evenly spaced, circular threads are made for the spider to easily move around its own web during construction. The spider then, beginning from the outside in, will methodically create the adhesive spiral threads. It will utilize the initial radiating lines as well as the non-sticky spirals as guide lines. The spaces between each spiral will be directly proportional to the distance from the tip of its back legs to its spinners.
This is one way the spider will use its own body as a measuring/spacing device. While the sticky spirals are formed the non-adhesive spirals are removed as there is no need for them anymore. After the spider has completed its web it will chew off the initial three center spiral threads then sit and wait. If the web is broken without any structural damage during the construction the spider does not make any initial attempts to rectify the problem. Indeed, there are many variations to constructing a web. This is just one possible way.
Webs allow a spider to catch prey without having to expend energy by running it down. Thus it is an efficient method of gathering food. However, constructing the web is in itself an energetically costly process due to the large amount of protein required, in the form of silk. In addition, after a time the silk will lose its stickiness and thus become inefficient at capturing prey. It is not uncommon for spiders to eat their own web daily to recoup some of the energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus "recycled."
The tensile strength of spider silk is greater than the same weight of steel and has much greater elasticity. Its microstructure is under investigation for potential applications in industry, including bullet-proof vests, and artificial tendons. Researchers have used genetically modified mammals to produce the proteins needed to make this material.
The spider, after spinning its web, will then wait on, or near, the web for a prey animal to become trapped. The spider can sense the impact and struggle of a prey animal by vibrations transmitted along the web lines.
Spiders do not usually adhere to their own webs. However, they are not immune to their own glue. Some of the strands of the web are sticky, and others are not. For example, if a spider has chosen to wait along the outer edges of its web, it may spin a non-sticky prey or signal line to the web hub to monitor web movement. Spiders have to be careful to only climb on the non-sticky strands of their webs.
A spider positioned in the middle of the web makes for a highly visible prey for birds and other predators, even without web decorations. Many day-hunting orb-web spinners reduce this risk by hiding at the edge of the web with one foot on a signal line from the hub, or by appearing to be inedible or unappetizing.
The symbol above is for a new meme that Katney started recently .
While most bus shelters have space for a wheel chair and a bench for at least two people and more room to stand under in case it is raining, on a walk, I recently spied this small bus stop seating near a church. To me it was definitely odd but am sure, welcoming to those who need to wait for a bus.
RuneE is sponsoring this monthly challenge on the first Monday of every month. Building Bridges is subject to open interpretation.
This "bridges between" meme has challenged me to think beyond the normal bridges we see on the water. I have some great ones of those since I live on the Washington side of the Columbia River. One day, I will also share them on this meme but today I decided I wanted to show a different kind of bridge. I like that this challenge is just once a month because then I have time to really think out my entry.
I ran across this photo I had taken last year of two spiders in side by side webs and my mind began to think of the bridges spiders make to trap their prey. The web construction itself is also a bridge for the spider to build the finished product.
I found this information in Wikipedia:
How spiders make webs
A orb weaver web anchored in a fork of a peach tree in winter
Spiders have several spinneret glands located at their abdomen which produce the silken thread. Each gland produces a thread for a special purpose. Seven different gland types have currently been identified, although each species of spider will possess only a few of these types, never all seven at once.
Normally a spider has three pairs of spinnerets, but there are spiders with just one pair or as many as four pairs of spinnerets, with each spinneret having its own function.
During the process of making a web the spider will use its own body for measurements, a very practical and ergonomic design feature of any web. This will allow the spider to move quickly and efficiently around its own web with very few faults. It will start with the most difficult part of construction, the first thread. The spider effectively utilizes the wind to carry its initial adhesive thread. With some luck the silk is released from its spinners and carried by the wind to a suitable adherable surface.
When it sticks to a surface the spider will carefully walk over the thread and strengthen it with a second thread. This process is repeated until the primary thread is strong enough to support the rest of the netting. After strengthening the first thread the spider will continue to make a Y shaped netting. The first three radials of the web are now constructed. More radials are added making sure that the distance between each radial is small enough to cross. This means that the number of radials in a web directly depends on the size of the spider plus the size of the web. After the radials are complete the spider will fortify the center of the web with about five circular threads. Then a spiral of non-sticky, evenly spaced, circular threads are made for the spider to easily move around its own web during construction. The spider then, beginning from the outside in, will methodically create the adhesive spiral threads. It will utilize the initial radiating lines as well as the non-sticky spirals as guide lines. The spaces between each spiral will be directly proportional to the distance from the tip of its back legs to its spinners.
This is one way the spider will use its own body as a measuring/spacing device. While the sticky spirals are formed the non-adhesive spirals are removed as there is no need for them anymore. After the spider has completed its web it will chew off the initial three center spiral threads then sit and wait. If the web is broken without any structural damage during the construction the spider does not make any initial attempts to rectify the problem. Indeed, there are many variations to constructing a web. This is just one possible way.
Webs allow a spider to catch prey without having to expend energy by running it down. Thus it is an efficient method of gathering food. However, constructing the web is in itself an energetically costly process due to the large amount of protein required, in the form of silk. In addition, after a time the silk will lose its stickiness and thus become inefficient at capturing prey. It is not uncommon for spiders to eat their own web daily to recoup some of the energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus "recycled."
The tensile strength of spider silk is greater than the same weight of steel and has much greater elasticity. Its microstructure is under investigation for potential applications in industry, including bullet-proof vests, and artificial tendons. Researchers have used genetically modified mammals to produce the proteins needed to make this material.
The spider, after spinning its web, will then wait on, or near, the web for a prey animal to become trapped. The spider can sense the impact and struggle of a prey animal by vibrations transmitted along the web lines.
Spiders do not usually adhere to their own webs. However, they are not immune to their own glue. Some of the strands of the web are sticky, and others are not. For example, if a spider has chosen to wait along the outer edges of its web, it may spin a non-sticky prey or signal line to the web hub to monitor web movement. Spiders have to be careful to only climb on the non-sticky strands of their webs.
A spider positioned in the middle of the web makes for a highly visible prey for birds and other predators, even without web decorations. Many day-hunting orb-web spinners reduce this risk by hiding at the edge of the web with one foot on a signal line from the hub, or by appearing to be inedible or unappetizing.
The symbol above is for a new meme that Katney started recently .
While most bus shelters have space for a wheel chair and a bench for at least two people and more room to stand under in case it is raining, on a walk, I recently spied this small bus stop seating near a church. To me it was definitely odd but am sure, welcoming to those who need to wait for a bus.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Blog Your Blessings Sunday #23
If you care to join us acknowledging our blessings go here: Blue Panther
I never thought I would ever count rain as my blessing as it hampers me from taking long walks on many days. BUT . . . when I see how the beauty of these flowers is magnified by the water droplets from the rain, I have to admit that rain is a blessing. I know it is necessary for so many other things and that we all need rain. That's not my point. . . I wouldn't mind if it rained every night while I was sleeping! Today, when I visited the Farmer's Market near the downtown park, I walked around and took photos of the tulips and Daffodils as they are in their third week of blooming and there are so many beautiful ones. Using my camera to capture their beauty I almost forgot it was raining even tho I got soaking wet because I stopped using my umbrella in order to use the camera. The things one will do to get a great photo!
Click on photos below to enlarge and see the droplets of rain embracing the spring flowers:
Well, I guess that will have to be it for photos this time although I wanted to share one more. . . blogger isn't cooperating tonight.
Thank you for your prayers last week.
Friday, April 04, 2008
The 20 second rainbow. . .
If you want to join Sky Watch Friday blogging, go here for the blogroll. Tom is the new Sky Watch host.
Never did I ever think I would find something so beautiful at Walmart! But that's just what happened last week as I was walking thru the parking lot. Think only once in my life have I ever seen such a huge rainbow. It began behind Walmart and stretched across the parking lot. . .
and over the fast food places and across the street called Mill Plain.
I wanted to take a photo of the whole thing but figured maybe I would take the two photos above first and then run over to Mill Plain and dodge cars to get across the busy street and take one from the sidewalk over there but those dark storm clouds moving in on it completely engulfed it before I could so I am glad I got the two shots of half a rainbow each direction. If you enlarge it, you will also see that spring is in full bloom here with the gorgeous colors of the trees that line that area.
Enjoy!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Another award and more tulips. . .
Received this from pernille's ting og tang
yesterday. Thanks very much! The purpose of my blog is to get some writing in while sharing my digital photos of things I love and also ones I happen to chance upon. I love it when others enjoy what I do also.
These are more tulips I have spied around town this past week.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
ABC Wednesday - Year 2 -- #11
Go here if you would like to join us for ABC Wednesday. . . Mrs Nesbitt
Click on photos to make bigger.
K is for KINDERGARTEN KIDS flying KITES! Just before school got out we went to Wintler Park where there is a beach along the Columbia River and they learned to fly KITESwith Moms and Dads and other adult school volunteer friends. The photos are tiny (Click on to enlarge a little.) but you can see that each child has their own KITE in the air!
After the KIDS flew their KITES, the KINDERGARTNERS played in the sand and built sand castles.
I couldn't post about my sweet KINDERGARTNERS without telling you about some of the things they did in KINDERGARTEN besides learning to read and write and learn math facts so . . .
Kis also for KINDERGARTEN KIDS I had in my last year teaching. It was at a new Lutheran School that just opened with 5 KINDERGARTEN KIDS and for awhile, there were 6 KIDS
The KINDERGARTEN KIDS loved to listen to a book on tape while following along with the words in the book.
The KINDERGARTEN KIDS were lucky to go on many field trips and they are here at the Portland Zoo and the Coast Guard Station on Sauvie Island where one of the fathers was stationed..
KINDERGARTEN KIDS do additional math activities.
Here the KINDERGARTEN KIDS use the computer, do PE and write in their journals.
Blowing bubbles is a fun Science lesson for the KINDERGARTEN KIDS.
They love to build with blocks and other building materials because they are KINDERGARTEN KIDS.
My KINDERGARTEN KIDS loved science projects!
Taking turns being the puppeteer and watching the show was a fun activity for my KINDERGARTEN KIDS.
KINDERGARTEN KIDS love to read -- especially when they have a little friend to read to.
KINDERGARTEN KIDS learn music from a volunteer and perform (for the church we were located at) for Lutheran Schools Week. Here they are singing "On Eagle's Wings," the school song. . . but just the chorus! We also like to move to music of Greg and Steve.
"Read Across America" day was spent reading books on our own and having volunteers read to usKINDERGARTNERS, If you look closely at the white board, you will see the number words written in German -- yes, we KINDERGARTNERS learned a lot of German in KINDERGARTEN too!
These photos of my KINDERGARTEN KIDS were taken on the first and last day of KINDERGARTEN
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
More tulips . . .
I was so worried about the tulips in the park when we got the unexpected cold spell and snow last week but they look like they survived and that made me one happy camper. No April Fool's tricks on me!
CLICK on especially the first and last to see the raindrops better as it is most beautiful to see.
I received this award from more people recently. . . THANK YOU to Kathy, Bears In Exile, Sharon, Kerri and Mrs. Nesbitt. I also returned it as an award to each that I had not originally given it to this past week. I will be exploring new blogs and award it again someday to those I find a good read in the future. I already presented it to 10 people and back to lilli when she first gave it to me.
CLICK on especially the first and last to see the raindrops better as it is most beautiful to see.
I received this award from more people recently. . . THANK YOU to Kathy, Bears In Exile, Sharon, Kerri and Mrs. Nesbitt. I also returned it as an award to each that I had not originally given it to this past week. I will be exploring new blogs and award it again someday to those I find a good read in the future. I already presented it to 10 people and back to lilli when she first gave it to me.
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