Happy Holidays!

Winter (Solstice) is Coming!
Sad that this is the first good family pic in many moons:

Observing the Partial Solar Eclipse a Different Way

Look at the nice U-shape in the solar panel output from our roof in the 1:30 to 3:30 time frame.  The Sun was blocked off by the moon at around the 60% level at 2:45

Realizing a Dream

Home made poulet roti.  A dream so pure that I had never even been aware of it until I realized it this weekend and was flooded with happiness.  Happy Father's Day to me!

21st Century Talk

By now, all modern parents are familiar with the cute but slightly disturbing trend for our kids to say "pause game" rather than "time out" or "take a break" IRL. But, the other day, Seb laid a new one on me:

Isabelle was daydreaming while we were getting ready to leave the house and I'm saying "Hey, Izze - are you going to get ready?"
See takes one look at her and say "Dad, don't bother - she's AFK."

Now you see it...

Super absorbent long chain polymers.  Same stuff they put in diapers. Look at the change in size once put into water and how transparent they become (mostly water so it must have the same index of refraction as water!).

Spring Break Project

For quite some time now I've been wanting to do relatively major (for me) home project:  install a solar powered roof fan to keep the upstairs cool(er) in the summer.  This past spring break, I did it.  And today it's raining... and no leaks!!

New fan on the North side of the roof

Solar panel on the South side of the roof

View from inside the attic - the tube is the venting for the bathroom fans.

Axis and Allies

Finally, the kids are old enough!  As you can see, my Axis powers are overwhelming the Allies (being controlled by my 8 and 11 year old!).  Haven't dusted off this game in many years.

When we were putting away the pieces, Isabelle discovered a hand written message in the box "Reciprocal Gift 1995 Ken <--> Phil"!  Hey Phil, looks like I stole our communal game!  Maybe next time you visit we can play against the kids together!