Space Out

Remember lava lamps? The original ones, that is. They are still being made but the new ones are plastic, have hardly any heft to them. But the original ones. Those were great. So now for us that do remember them, a trip down memory lane . . .

Okay, are you back with me? Here's some trivia about the original ones.

Edward Craven-Walker is responsible for bringing the lava lamp into millions of homes over the years. After seeing a fascinating egg-timer with a blob of wax in it at an English pub around the mid-1940s, and being informed that the person who invented it had passed away, Craven-Walker spent the next 15 years perfecting the lava lamp. Beginning in 1963, Craven-Walker brought the novelty lamps to trade shows, and by 1965 they were being sold in the U.S. The lava lamp, whose original name was "Astrolight" or "Astro Lamp," became a staple fixture during the psychedelic 1960s. More lava lamps were sold in the 1990s than in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s combined.


But, what I still have more for you. Here's a public service announcements from wikipedia regarding the hazards of lava lamps.

In 2004, Phillip Quinn, a 24-year-old of Kent, Washington, was killed during an attempt to heat up a lava lamp on his kitchen stove while closely observing it from only a few feet away. The heat from the stove built up pressure in the lamp until it exploded, spraying shards of glass with enough force to pierce his chest, with one shard piercing his heart and causing fatal injuries. The circumstances of his death were later repeated and confirmed in a 2006 episode of the popular science television series MythBusters. The show also proved that even if shards of glass are not thrown with lethal velocity during such an attempt, the resulting spray of hot liquid from the lamp could easily cause severe burns to anyone nearby. The show also noted that the safety instructions clearly state that lava lamps should not be heated by any source other than the specially-designed bulbs and bases that are provided.

So be careful . . . just watch the slow bubbling goop as it travels up and down . . .

Kitty Slide

Whee-ee-ee . . .

December Snowflakes

Hee-hee . . .

Shooting Star

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Hunks and I were driving our 12-hour trip back from the Atlanta area and we had finally gotten into Michigan. It was dark and we were ready to be home. And then the most amazing thing happened.

We witnessed a meteorite burning up in our atmosphere. It was a large, white streak. We were both so astounded, we both said, "did you see that?" at the same moment. It was gone in a flash, definitely no time to get out my trusty camera.

But conversation ensued. We talked about how the atmosphere caused the flash of light, yada . . . yada . . .

But, then, you know me. I had to check into the strength of our atmosphere and this is what I found.

Without the atmosphere, it would be impossible to live on earth. The atmosphere's layers form a "blanket" around the earth, protecting us from dangerous rays of the sun and from the cold of outer space. The atmosphere contains the air that we breathe, water vapor, and dust. Air contains carbon dioxide and nitrogen, vital for life, and water vapor forms the clouds that bring rain. The atmosphere is held in place by the pull of the earth's gravity and extends to about 1,250 miles above the earth.

Or do I believe it was a sign? Hmmm . . .

Laugh a Little

So it is getting close to Christmas and shopping seems to take a bit longer than usual . . . and almost always makes me a bit cranky.

So a laugh lightens the mood, and when this came through e-mail from a friend, I just had to pass it along.

Maxine asks . . . what do you get when you mix PMS with GPS?

Answer? A crazy bitch who WILL find you!