Joy's Journal

Tropical Storm Dolly

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:11:07 GMT

Hello, Dolly. (Hey, it's not my fault. Thanks a lot, Lloyd.)

Earlier: "THE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATING THE STRONG TROPICAL WAVE IN THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA FOUND THAT THE SYSTEM STILL DOES NOT HAVE A CLOSED CIRCULATION. HOWEVER...THE WAVE CONTINUES TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A LARGE AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS AND IS PRODUCING WINDS OF 40-45 MPH TO THE SOUTH OF JAMAICA. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME INCREASINGLY FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT...AND THIS SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION OR TROPICAL STORM WITHIN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO AS IT MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 15 TO 20 MPH."

Link: Tropical Storm DOLLY

(Thanks, Lloyd, for the info and link.)

Dolly is headed across the Yucatan and towards Texas.

Update (7-21-08): Dolly could become a hurricane today--category 1.

Update (7-22-08): Dolly is a hurricane (category 1) and is heading towards the Texas/Mexico border.

Update (7-23-08): Dolly is a category 2 storm now and is moving into Texas with winds of 100 mph.

Update (7-24-08): Dolly is now a tropical depresstion. (This is the last advisory.)

Tags: Tropical Storm Dolly

Publication news

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:22:48 GMT

I have a collection of some of my published stories in Aliens, Animals and Adventure. You can order it (trade paperback) at the Anthology Builder library: AnthologyBuilder: create your ideal anthology

Table of contents:

The Doorway: Nessa stumbles into the time corridor while helping a friend.

Guard Dog: Sequel to The Doorway. Nessa travels to the time of Earth's first contact.

Pretty Pink Planet: Heroine tracks down planet pirates; saves aliens.

Hot Yellow Planet: Sequel to PPP. Lori and Chiing continue their adventures, meeting up with Chameleons, Ghosters, Splurts, and other aliens and humans.

Flashback: Chessies’ arrival in an ice age. Companion story to Sugar Time stories (audiobook).

Stray Cats: Cats, herps, and humans--sometimes interchangeable.

To the Last Drop: Those aliens should not have touched that coffee urn.

Pilot's Course: Terran humans in the far future settled on other planets. Heroine plots new course.

Moovin' Up: Genetic Engineering.

The Princess Quest: Sword & Sorcery.

When Danger Rules: Reesa came back to rescue the remaining members of the family she loved. Now she had to avoid being killed by her cousin, who wanted the throne, and the new ruler of the planet, who didn't want a throne, and the ones she had come to rescue.

Home Not: When Grief's Aunt Chelsea died, his Uncle Sandro saw his chance, and Grief was at his mercy... Adventure.

The Haunted Garden: Ghosts, Native Americans, and the environment.

Lost in the Long Dark: Boy explores locked hallway in new house; finds danger.

Taking Tawny Home: Sequel to Lost in the Long Dark. Could he take the big cat back?

You Are What You Don't Eat: Why were the Terrans invited to the feast?

Tags: Science fiction, fantasy, magic, cats, aliens, time travel

Digital TV Converter Boxes (discussion link)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:13:20 GMT

I was talking to a friend tonight about converter boxes, and she's already sent for her coupons and has been checking the boxes out. They have them here at Radio Shack and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart's are about ten dollars cheaper, but the quality might not be as good, but most of the boxes are probably about the same quality. I didn't realize there were multiple brands.

I've put off even ordering the coupons because from what I'd heard there were problems with getting the coupons and the boxes. That 90 day window is a problem if no boxes are available. But from what my friend said, a number of people have the boxes already and are getting more channels! And then I found more information from a link in the HGTVPro e-newsletter for a blog (see below for the link) with a follow-up discussion. I see that some people are having trouble getting the coupons (we're allowed to get two), but people are getting more channels. I think I will send for one coupon, and then if I don't get that, I can ask for the second one...

Mr. Gatton gives a link and a phone number for getting your coupons. I see that you can buy a box from an online dealer. He also offers connection help; and he suggests waiting a bit for prices to come down. I think, though, that people will be wanting more coupons and boxes as the February 17 deadline gets closer.

Here's the link: Bob Gatton's Tech Talk -- Digital TV Converter Boxes

Tags: Digital TV converter boxes

Home ideas

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:20:49 GMT

I came across some interesting decorating ideas in the August 2008 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. One of their Ideas pages showcases a selection of indoor and outdoor carts, which are made of wood, wicker, rattan, lacquered steel, blackened iron, and resin. Another Ideas page spotlights the color blue, including denim. There's a color called Honest Blue, btw (Sherwin-Williams).

An architect helped a homeowner solve her kitchen storage problems by replacing one of three glass doors (the middle one) to the patio with an island and pass-through window. Now that is a great idea. It still looks bright and airy, but isn't such a waste of space. (See Indoors: Renovation.)

In an Outdoors: Landscaping photo, there's a bench made of stacked concrete blocks (two levels) topped with a fabric-wrapped plank. Hmm. I assumed it was foam. I think I'd want something more comfy to sit on. Also in the Outdoors section is a new product: Flex-fence. It's a fence or canopy that can be opened, closed, or fixed at an angle. It can help with shade and privacy on a porch or elsewhere, apparently.

And a homeowner surrounded her flat-screen TV with cabinets of her own design. They look good, are useful, and I like not seeing a big ugly box floating on a wall. For those who want to "dress down" a room, you can go casual with unframed pictures and a tray full of little rocks, among other ideas.

Tags: Glass doors, carts, benches, flat screen TV

Tropical Storm Cristobal

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:10:44 GMT

"...TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA...

AT 11 PM EDT...0300 UTC...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA TO CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING PAMLICO SOUND. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE
WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS...CONVECTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OFF THE GEORGIA COAST HAS BECOME MORE CONCENTRATED
WITH AMPLE MID-LEVEL ROTATION. PERSISTENT NORTHWESTERLY WINDS FROM A SKIDAWAY INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY 50 METER TOWER A SHORT
DISTANCE WEST OF THE MAIN AREA OF CONVECTION INDICATE THAT THE CIRCULATION HAS BECOME BETTER DEFINED SINCE THIS AFTERNOON. CONSEQUENTLY...ADVISORIES ARE INITIATED ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION THREE. ... "

(Thanks, Lloyd.)

It's now a tropical storm. This is the low pressure system that slowly crossed the Florida peninsula (west to east), giving us rain for about three days. Now it's sending drier air to us so our rain chances are down for the next couple days.

Update (7-21-08): Cristobal is paralleling the east coast and heading towards Nova Scotia. It looks like North Carolina isn't going to get the rain from Cristobal that they need.

Tags: Tropical Storm Cristobal

Hurricane Bertha

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:27:23 GMT

Bertha is now a category 3 hurricane. It should go west, then north and miss Florida.

Update (7-9-08): Bertha has dropped to a category 1.

Update (7-11-08): The official forecast track continues to show Bertha's center passing well east of Bermuda. However, the forecast remains uncertain
...
Those "weak and unpredictable" upper-level winds continue to wreak havoc on the NHC's ability to forecast Bertha's path. Sullivan succintly summarizes the divergence among the computer models as follows: "[Most] models still indicate a slow turn to the NNE. Some models make a sharper turn eastward. Some stall the storm right near Bermuda."

I saw the computer models (spaghetti strands) on the weather report today. They are wandering off in all directions.

Link: http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/are-we-in-for-a-busy-hurricane-season/ (Thanks, Lloyd!)

Update (7-13-08): Bertha is now a tropical storm and will be moving north then east. It is moving at 3 mph (up from 1 mph).

Update (7-15-08): Bertha is now up to 12 mph and may become a hurricane again before fizzling out.

Update (7-18-08): Bertha is still a tropical storm.

Update (7-19-08): And now Bertha's a hurricane again.

Update (7-20-08): And now she's not and is headed towards Iceland.

Tags: Hurricane Bertha

Bookcase dividers in Great Hall

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:46:58 GMT

We're having bookcase dividers (four) with columns installed and painted. They will divide the dining room from the library and the library from the living room. That was in our original house plans, but we couldn't afford them then. Looking good, but what are we going to do with all our other bookcases?!

The carpenter caulked and primed the bookcase dividers Friday. He hopes to finish Monday. We've learned that latex paint isn't so good for bookcases because it's so soft, but we decided to go for it anyway. I do want to be sure it has a long time to dry.

We spent a good part of Saturday morning moving one of the big bookcases (had to find a place for it and move the table that was there) and some tables and books and accessories. (We carried one table to the guest house and another one back and then moved tables around. Not happy with the placement of two tables, but that's where they fit.) When the painting is done, we can move more furniture and put some books and art objects back--and decide where everything goes..., and when the paint is dry, we'll put the rest of the books and other items still lying around away.

Tags: Remodeling; bookcases, latex paint

Kitchen ideas

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:31:55 GMT

I was browsing The Kitchen Idea Book (2001, The Taunton Press) recently, and it is full of fantastic kitchen ideas. I like the scrub top table in the eat-in kitchen; we have at least two of those, but our kitchen really isn't big enough. I don't like a cluttered kitchen. There's also a table with concrete block legs and a gray top, which is not very attractive.

Then there was a counter/table with two legs at one end.in the kitchen, which I think is ugly. Another counter/table has a zigzag leg at one end that looks metallic. It's certainly different. And there's a long, narrow, oval concrete island that looks like a traffic barrier.

There's also a pull-out table in a tiny kitchen. In another small kitchen, the island is narrow and moveable. And I love the diner-style built -in booth with a little jukebox on the table, which is nifty. Ordinarily I don't care for a banquette seating eating area. And you can have a lower table at the end of a counter.

One kitchen has an island and cabinets with contrasting finishes on each, which is interesting. It looks better than the four-panelled kitchen door that has one top panel painted red. And there's a kitchen over a garage that has a dumb waiter that brings up groceries from the garage.

A dropped soffit, which I like because it can be stencilled, is attractive. Or you can have a painted frieze. A double soffit is good for high ceilings. You can use a soffit for ductwork and/or lighting. Or you might prefer display space.

There are integral solid surface backsplashes. Stainless steel can be shaped to make a backsplash and nosing. Roofing slate turned upsidedown can be used to surface a counter. And there's a kind of marble that's as hard as granite. Or you can tile with pictures of fish or veggies. And, of course, you can use concrete though you have to have good support. Concrete floors can crack so you need joint cracks--cast or inset. I gather that countertops don't crack as often...

I love the big, old free-standing sinks and the attached drainboard(s). We had one when I was a kid. (We lived in an old four square.)

There are lots of cabinetry ideas in the book also, including drawer fronts in contrasting colors. One countertop has a pharmaceutical cabinet as a base with all the little drawers facing into the kitchen. That could be useful for spices.

There's a wide variety of cabinet handles, including an inset metal grid. Btw, natural red birch cabinets have the warmth of cherry, but don't darken over time. One kitchen has open pantry shelves in the kitchen so that it looks like an old general store. Old metal tins are among the food items.

And there's a kitchen with the dividers with columns (often incorporating bookcases) between it and the dining room. (We have those in our great hall, btw.) There are a number of useful ideas in the book. I was looking at it because I'm culling my books, which I do now and then. I think I'll keep this one.

Tags: Kitchen ideas, countertops, cabinets, kitchen islands, soffits, solid surfacing

Lunar living (link)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:06:07 GMT

"It’s been nearly 40 years since U.S. spaceship Apollo 11 landed on the moon, with Neil Armstrong taking one small step for man ...

Which brings me to aerospace engineer Robert Howard Jr., manager of the habitual design centre at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Taking the concept of space-age design to its logical limit, Howard has been given the task of designing a dwelling that could comfortably house four people on the moon for a year. ... "

Link: Home Improvement Blog

Tags: NASA, Johnson space center, moon landing, space-age design

Hurricane names

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:19:42 GMT

For every year, there is a pre-approved list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes. These lists have been generated by the National Hurricane Center since 1953. At first, the lists consisted of only female names; however, since 1979, the lists alternate between male and female.

Hurricanes are named alphabetically from the list in chronological order. ... The lists contain names that begin from A to W, but exclude names that begin with a "Q" or "U."

There are six lists that continue to rotate. The lists only change when there is a hurricane that is so devastating, the name is retired and another name replaces it.

Here are the four names upcoming after Bertha:

Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay

Link: 2008 Hurricane Names - Official Hurricane Names List

And here is a possible upcoming hurricane: A LARGE AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE AND SURFACE LOW...IS LOCATED OVER THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC OCEAN ABOUT 1550 MILES EAST OF THE SOUTHERN WINDWARD ISLANDS. THIS SYSTEM HAS BECOME A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED DURING THE DAY...AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS THE WAVE MOVES GENERALLY WESTWARD AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

(Thanks, Lloyd.)

Tags: Hurricane names