Goodbye September!

Overnight rain showers have moved out, the sky is quickly clearing up, and a beautiful autumn day lies ahead along the Colorado Front Range. There is a cool snap in the air, reminding us of the approach of cooler days to come. This morning's temperature just before sunrise was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 Celsius), but today is expected to reach a high of 71 (22 Celsius). Today will be a perfect morning to make a run to the Farmer's Market and pick up some farm fresh vegetables and fruit from some of the local, family-owned farms. Palisade peaches are nearing the end of their season, so it is time to enjoy a few more of those before it is too late.

Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year. The breaking of the hot days of summer with the cool, crisp autumn air has always been something I welcome. I love many other things about the season; apple cider, colors of the changing leaves, and the spicy taste of a delicious pumpkin pie topped with fresh whipped cream.

Yet in many of the recent years, this wonderful season has brought financial disaster. The small telecom start-up I worked for in Colorado Springs shut down for good in November of 2002. Last year on the day before Thanksgiving, the company I was employed by unceremoniously dumped me a month after my boss begged me to turn down another job offer. Now, this year there is a lot of buzz about my current employer being the target of a possible takeover by a huge company. And even though I have a lot of catching up to do from financial setbacks over the last decade, it is harder for someone my age to get a job than it used to be when I was just a few years younger. Never mind that I am nowhere near ready, either financially or career-wise, to retire. I have great experience and skills, as I prove on my job every day. But I refuse to allow speculation, or even probabilities, rob me of enjoying autumn this year. Today, I have a job, I work hard, and strive to give my employer excellence in all I do. What more can anyone ask? After all, I am only a couple of years older than Bill Gates and Steve Jobs! I only wish I had a portion of their bank accounts.

Since I don't know how many more autumns I will have, be it one or forty, I refuse to allow the trials of life to rob me of the joys of this most enjoyable of seasons. Today is the last day of September, and tomorrow we have a new October. Snow has already fallen in the mountains, and we will no doubt have the first snowfall of the season for the Front Range sometime during October, interspersed between beautiful days like today.

So to all, I wish a most happy Autumn of 2007!

The Lesser Sandpiper

A lesser sandpiper finding food along West Beach in Galveston

When I was 6-to-9 years of age, my family lived in the then-new subdivision of the future, developer Frank Sharp's "Sharpstown". I still remember the street names well of our neighborhood...streets like Hendon Lane, Langdon Lane, Sharpcrest Drive, Albacore, Concho, McAvoy, Bintliff, and Neff. And there was Sandpiper. At the time, I didn't know there was such a thing as a real sandpiper, but of course, there is.

In May of this year during my visit to Galveston, there were many lesser sandpipers scurrying along the sandy beach, looking and probing for food. These are actually very pretty animals, with their pure white underbelly feathers and the brown and white patterned feathers on their heads, wings, and backs. This is a picture I snapped along West Beach, the part of the island where there is no seawall. There were quite a few sandpipers poking their beaks into the wet sand as they fed on insects.

The eastern part of the island is where the most densely-populated areas of the city lie are protected from hurricanes by a seawall. But if you head west on Seawall Boulevard, you go past the seawall itself, onto the parts of the island where the houses are built on stilts to raise them above the highest tides. It is in this area where I found these small birds.

Of course, Galveston is home to a number of other birds, such as seagulls and pelicans, so it is a great place to enjoy many types of marine birds. No doubt, there are prettier beaches in the world than those on Galveston Island, but it is still an terrific place to spend some time.

Mule, Donkey, Hinney, or Ass??

A donkey foal looking through the fence

Near where I live, a variety of livestock is raised. Within a mile, I can see horses, goats, sheep, American bison, and llamas, to name a few. There is one field where a small group of donkeys typically are feeding as well. Today, there was a lone foal, grazing down by the road. There was not another in sight.

Now I am calling it a donkey, and I suppose it probably is. But to tell the truth, even though I know the technical difference between a mule, hinney, donkey, etc., I am making a half-ass guess that this is a donkey (as well as a little "ass humor" to go with it...a two-fer deal for you).

This little guy was standing there by the fence, so I stopped the car to let my granddaughter take a closer look. She wanted to get out and pet it, which probably would have been fine, but she thought better of it, and so did I, not knowing if this is a friendly beast or not. We do know they are known for their big teeth, so hey, why take the chance?

An Interesting Arachnid

Cat-Face Spider wrapping its lunch in webbing

Underneath the back deck of my son's deck is a bizarre-looking creature, known as the Cat Face Spider, so-called because it has markings resembling to some, the face of a feline. This particular spider is so accustomed to being around my son, that he can toss food into the web and the spider will come down to get it.

Today, he saw a moth had landed on his wife's shoulder, so he grabbed it and tossed it into the web of the spider. Immediately, the spider came down and injected its toxin into the moth, holding it until it gave up the fight. It then began turning the moth as it wrapped the prey in webbing strands (top photo). Once the moth was encapsulated within this silk cocoon, it hoisted the moth onto its back, and ascended back up under the deck to enjoy its meal (photo below).

While this live episode of the food chain in action was interesting, I am also glad this spider wasn't in my house. My wife would be screaming for me to kill it! Such a creature is best left outside, as far as I'm concerned.


Carrying the wrapped meal back home

Scramblin'

The makings of a quick and tasty breakfast

As my few readers know, I occasionally write about one of life's great pleasures here...that being food. I also am not one who typically likes food that is made to pretend that it is other food. Things like artificial meat made from soybeans, for example, are not items that I would find tasty.

I must say, however, that I have found one product containing "vegetable sausage" that is actually delicious. I don't know if it is the mix of flavors, or if this particular "sausage" is just good. However, I saw something at the grocery store that I decided would be a quick way to make a good breakfast, and indeed, my thought about it was correct.

MorningStar Farms (distributed by Kellogg's) has brought out a line of Breakfast Starters, and I purchased the one called Classic Scramble. It is a frozen bag of 11 ounces of goodies that include onion, green and red bell pepper slices, red potato chunks, and the aforementioned veggie sausage. Yes, you could prepare this from scratch fairly easily, but you'd have to precook the potatoes, clean and slice the onion and pepper. This takes time, and when you need something quick, this is definitely the way to go.

All you do is take a 12" skillet, spray it with cooking spray and pre-heat it on medium. You then dump the bag's contents into the pan, cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally (that's the directions, but mine cooked in about 6-7 minutes), push the veggies to the side and scramble 4 beaten eggs in the same pan, mix it all together, season to taste with salt & pepper, and voila! A delicious, nutritious breakfast. A side of fruit works well with this, as does a dollop of your favorite salsa on top of the scramble. For less time than you wait for service at a restaurant, you have a good, hot breakfast ready to eat.

I would have taken a picture of the finished results, but I ate it right down. Oh well! Maybe next time.

Realistically, one bag serves two, which is just right for the lovely spouse and I. For the record, I have no financial interest in MorningStar Farms or Kellogg's. This post is just an unbiased consumer review. If you need a fast, hot, and yummy breakfast, give this a try. I think you'll like it.

It Came From Outer Space!

Here's a weird story in the news for you. In a scene reminiscent of 1950s campy sci-fi movies, a meteorite hit the earth Saturday in Peru. Now the residents of a nearby village are coming down with a mysterious malady. Villagers started complaining of headaches and vomiting from odd odors in the air. Seven policemen who went to investigate had to be given oxygen and put in the hospital. The crater, which is 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep, was filled with boiling water and surrounded by chunks and particles of rock and cinder.

Could this be the beginnings of a pandemic caused by a microbe from outer space? Time will tell.

Actually, some scientists think that life on earth began with microbes brought in by meteorites and comets. So who knows?

This also reminds me of the wacky 1985 movie called "The Stuff", about a yogurt like substance that fell to earth, but that was packaged and marketed as food. The movies slogan was "The Stuff; are you eating it, or is it eating you?"



In any case, this is too unusual to let go by without a comment! Be afraid...be very afraid!!

CLICK HERE to read the news article about this incident in Peru.

Constitution Day

Happy Constitution Day!

Today marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of one of the greatest documents ever conceived by human beings for the governance of their nation; The Constitution of the United States of America. The first three words, "We the People" clearly say that this was to be a different type of country than those of old Europe. No longer content to be ruled over by monarchs who claimed to rule by divine right, or appointment by God; the fledgling USA was to place the government in the hands of the governed. The idea that people should rule themselves, and that the government held power by consent of the people was a complete overturning of the old order. The phrase on our one dollar bills, Novus Ordo Seclorum, declare this to be a new order of the ages.

Constitution Day was declared by Congress in 2004, and sponsored by West Virginia U.S. Senator, Robert Byrd. I for one, am glad. We have Independence Day, Flag Day, but the actual document that established our current government, the one that has proven itself over time, certainly deserves a day of recognition; a day when school children across America learn about this document so vital to our country.

So today, let's remember to not just revere the Constitution as an historical document, but rather as a living testament to the radical concept expressed by our founders that people have the right to govern themselves.

Bonnie Brae

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream shop - a Denver tradition

Here we are in the midst of a beautiful Colorado weekend. It is getting cooler, the trees are just beginning to show some color, and it is a perfect time to be outside. After watching the news about the "instant" Hurricane Humberto that narrowly missed my hometown of Houston, it's good to know that it will take a heck of a lot of global warming to bring a hurricane to Denver. So, what better way to enjoy a late summer day than to explore one of Denver's historic neighborhoods, and try out some very good ice cream too!

The Bonnie Brae retail district is not very big, but it definitely has character. Situated on South University Boulevard between the Cherry Creek district and the University of Denver, Bonnie Brae is home to several small retail establishments, as well as a branch of the Denver Public Library. After enjoying the Blue Bell last week, the lovely wife and I decided to try a local favorite. No, it's not sold in stores, and is nowhere near as big as "the little creamery in Brenham", but Bonnie Brae Ice Cream is known as a Denver tradition, and is well known for being a creamy treat. Believe it or not, in the 13 years we have been in Colorado, we have never eaten any...until today!

Oh my gosh! Its reputation for being a terrific premium ice cream is well deserved. Made on the premises of the shop, this was every bit as creamy, smooth, and tasty as the best Blue Bell. I had a sugar cone with a scoop of delicious apple pie ice cream. The cream itself was loaded with apple bits, streussel-like streaks of yummy goodness, and had a wonderful apple-cinnamon flavor. The texture was perfect too. What took me so long to give this a try?


A cone of dairy goodness - it didn't last long!

Now that we have enjoyed looking at that delectable ice cream, let's look around the block and see what else is there. Below is a cute little florist shop that had lots of beautiful flowers on display under the awning and along the sidewalk. The ice cream store also had some fantastic cement pots of flowers growing along their sidewalk cafe seating, and I imagine they came from this shop as well.


Bonnie Brae Flowers - a real budding enterprise

Next, we have the Saucy Noodle Pizzeria and Italian restaurant. I have never eaten here, but I have seen its slogan as I have passed by here in the past. "If you don't like garlic, go home!" Don't say they didn't warn you.



Finally, we have the Campus Lounge. I have never been here either, but I understand it is quite a cozy little neighborhood bar and grill, and a good place to eat, have a drink, and watch your favorite sports on television. I looked, but no sign saying, "If you don't like beer, go home!"

The thing I like about this nondescript building has nothing to do with the architecture, but rather the classic neon sign that adorns the outside. This is definitely not the type of signs you see at your average suburban strip mall.


Come on in, grab a bite, and pound back a few cold brewskis.

25 Things I Like

Just for fun, let's do a list. This is a list of 25 random things that I like. Can you come up with a list of things you like?

1. Symphony orchestras
2. Guitar music
3. Animals
4. Warm socks on a cold night
5. Hot cocoa
6. Iced tea
7. A good night's sleep
8. The smell of the air after the rain
9. Road trips
10. Computers
11. Taking photographs
12. Nice people
13. Mexican food
14. Chinese food
15. Radio
16. Snow falling (not too much though)
17. Back rubs
18. History
19. Mel Brooks' films
20. Freshly-ironed cotton shirts
21. Astronomy
22. Superman
23. Open Source software
24. Airplanes
25. Noodles
    

Better than Sex??

Today, I got back in touch with my inner geek to solve a problem that has been bothering me for weeks. The answer turned out to be so simple, so easy, that I was surprised I didn't think of it before. It does require thinking outside the proverbial box, and finding an alternate way to solve a problem. After it worked, I must say it beats ice cream and cake. Better than sex? Perhaps.

Here is the problem. I daily get a file of sales on the product I manage for my employer. This comes out of our data warehouse, and comes in the form of a text file with comma separated values. Every day, I get the previous day's sales. So over time, I accumulate many files with the same structure, but containing sales from different days. What I need is a way to easily catch up on combining these into a single file, and being able to maintain it on an ongoing basis.

To give you an idea of what I am talking about, I made some phony files that will illustrate this little trick. My work files are huge, but to show how this works, these are small. The method is the same. Here is an example of a file for one day:



As you can see, each field or column is separated by commas. Here is what it looks like when you open the file in Excel or a similar spreadsheet program.



Every day, another similar file comes in, and each may have different numbers of rows. I have been trying to avoid opening one file at a time, selecting the data, copying it into a new file, and repeating that process over and over. I figured I might be able to develop a macro to help, but even that is not easy for this project. This has been perplexing me for weeks.

Then today, something in the back of my mind popped out. I have been looking at this from an Excel-centric approach. For whatever reason, I remembered about using the DOS COPY command to concatenate files into a new file. This will only work if the files have the same layout, but in the case of my particular problem, they do. SO, I put all the files in the same folder (or Directory as DOS calls them), opened a DOS window, and using the DOS command:

COPY *.csv newfile.csv

I successfully combined the files into one file named newfile.csv. Here is how the command executed (which took only seconds).



As you can see, it took all three files and copied them into one new file. I then opened the new file in Excel, and here is what I now have.



You notice that since each file had a row of column headings, I now have three sets of headings scattered in the file. No problem. I will just sort the data and delete the rows with the duplicate headings. Infinitely faster than manually opening many files in Excel and doing the routine of select, copy, paste. I now have a single data file with which to work. WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

Simple, elegant, fast and effective. What more could anyone want? Plus, I am surprised it took me so long to come up with this, as a few months ago, I posted on this very blog how to create a spreadsheet from the DOS command prompt. Sometimes the solution is so simple that you overlook it, getting stuck in one way of looking at things.

Cherry Creek Sights

Nice looking Bus Stop sign

This morning, the spousette wanted to take me to a crepe restaurant she found out about, located in the Cherry Creek North district. So, we made the trek into Denver, and while I wasn't impressed with what are reputed to be fantastic crepes, I did see a few things that caught my attention. I am sure they are very excellent crepes, but I think I just am a man of simple tastes. In any case, it was sweet of her to want me to experience them. I had one with ham, eggs, and cheddar inside. In any case, I hear the place ladles out a mean french onion soup, so I may go back again.

As usual, I brought along my trusty digicam, and managed to get a few shots of things that drew my eye. All of the photos can be seen in a larger format by clicking on them.

At the top of the page is probably the nicest looking Bus Stop sign I have ever seen. It is very artsy, colorful, and fits nicely with the neighborhood.

Close by was a mailbox like none I have ever seen. Yes, it is R2D2, ready to take your messages to the rebel forces. I felt like dropping a postcard into it saying, "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi. You're our only hope!"


"Funny. I don't recall ever having owned a droid."

Next up, this vintage bicycle someone had locked to a lightpost. Very nice condition, and a very earth-friendly transportation mode. Not to mention the health benefits. Segway's may be technologically cool, but when you compare someone riding one of them with someone on a bike, the Segway rider looks like a geeky dork, while the bike rider actually looks like a healthy human being.


A cool old bike!

Speaking of vintage rides, how about this? Yet another cherry '57 Chevy Bel-Air, parked along the street. This one is similar to the black one in an earlier post, but it is not the same car. It has the word "Chevrolet" over the flying "V" on the hood, as well as a front license plate. Still, what a beauty!


Wouldn't you like to drive this around town?

Finally, this has nothing do do with much of anything. I had this to drink with my crepes, and I just like the look of the label. So here it is!


Tasty & sweet!

Blue Bell & A Surprise

A sign I haven't seen for a long time

A few posts back, I mentioned how I found that Russell Stover's candy store is selling Blue Bell Ice Cream here in Colorado. So, since my hospital visit showed I didn't have a heart attack, I decided to risk it and go ahead and enjoy the yummy goodness. Indeed it was, but I had a little surprise this morning when working on the pictures I took. More on that in a moment.

They had lots of flavors available, and they were as creamy and yummy as Blue Bell always is. I decided to try 2 dips . . . one of Banana Nut and the other of Peaches & Homemade Vanilla. The picture below is how they looked after I had taken a bite or two. I had decided to run to the car and get the camera to take a picture, but not before I had eaten a bite or two. As you can see, the surface had started to melt just a little, which was fine.


Peaches & Homemade Vanilla and Banana Nut Blue Bell

Now this looks like a delectable treat, and it was. But I did alter the photo just a little bit, to show what I thought I was getting. The combination of eating outside and my running to get the camera caused me to miss something. Something I didn't notice until I was putting these pictures up on the blog this morning made me a little sick. No, it isn't the Blue Bell, but it looks like I didn't notice at the time, a little extra protein landed on the peach ice cream. I can only assume I consumed it. YIKES!

Below is the unaltered close up of what looks like a little gnat or fly of some kind stuck in the creamy goodness. Oh my! I guess I got a little extra protein. Since I didn't notice, and ate it all, maybe I should suggest the flavor of Peaches & Gnats! It didn't ruin my enjoyment when I ate the cream, so I will be back. It wasn't Russell Stover's or Blue Bell's fault. That's what I get for eating outside and not paying close enough attention. Yet another reason why I will eat inside next time.