Personal Blogs

Nobody told me

The warp drive was not reversible

Now I’m kinda stuck.

Old English for oak was ek, I think (German is Eiche) but that has mutated into oak in Modern English. The “corn” bit presumably means seed, and so why don’t we call it an Oakcorn?

Try saying it at normal voice level, Oakcorn. 

Try whispering it. Is that different?

Why?

This striking moth has a wide range outside Britain, but historically it was rare here and only found in the Channel Isles (thus the name) and one location in Devon.

However like many species it has been expanding its territory and has now spread north as far as Cambridgeshire, where it popped up in my garden.

This picture of the resting insect doesn't begin to show how spectacular it is in flight; sadly it didn't stay around long enough for us to video it.

I love squirrels, seeing them often in my garden, and was fascinated to hear recently that their brains may grow in autumn and shrink again in spring. 

The reason for this might be that the task of storing a winter food supply in a way that's easy to find again takes a lot of mental effort, to organise and memorise the cache locations.

Other mammals adapt for winter in significant ways; stoats and mountain hare change the colour of their coats; hedgehogs and bears hibernate. There is also evidence that shrews shrink both body and brain, to survive with shrunken resources.

So the idea about squirrels is plausible, and it's supported by research findings, but of course it's hard to be sure and there is still debate.

There's a good article here about a leading researcher and her liking and fascination with these clever little beasts.

Studies of squirrel brain regeneration may reveal clues about how to slow Alzheimer's disease, because in at least one form, the cells squirrels seem to regenerate are the ones that sufferers appear to be losing? Could mental activity, such as doing puzzles, help? It's often been suggested and there is some evidence in favour, I recall. It's an alluring possibility but no more at this stage.

I have had this rambling rose since 2021, and it is gorgeous. If only I could post the scent.

How do Australians share their disapproval of meringues? Boo.

I clutched the icy handrail, 

but when I reach the top,

no one was there.

My hanging basket caught in the security light.

See 

This mysterious bronze sculpture is part of Lowestoft's First Light Festival and has been on the beach for a few weeks. It's not there permanently and will be moved somewhere else before long. We made a special pilgrimage to Lowestoft to see it. About 1.3 m tall, at high tide it's underwater and during the time it's been where it is it has acquired an attractive green patina.

Chthonic means living in or beneath the Earth's surface, or inhabiting the underworld, coming from the Greek χθονός, "of the Earth".