Monthly Archives: December 2011

Barnes and Noble Nook Color — Love it!

Posted on by Carol

Happy Holidays, everyone!

For the first time in many years, my husband and I exchanged gifts. And I received a Nook Color. And I love it!

For anyone used to working with computers, it’s relatively easy to operate. And a user’s manual is included on the device as a free book. (For anyone not familiar with computers, there might be a substantial learning curve.)

For reading books, the font and font sizes can be changed, so that text is easier to read. The manual says that font color can be changed but, sorry, that feature is not included. However, there are several background colors to choose from while reading, and one can reduce or enhance the display brightness.

Searching is easy, as is highlighting and note-taking. One feature I’d like to see in the future is the ability to search one’s notes for key words.

However, Nook has a built-in dictionary that one can access while reading a book. Simply keep your finger on a word, and a menu appears. Select “look up.”

This morning, I was searching for an additional dictionary application. The only one I saw that got good to fair reviews was from Merriam Webster. However, it’s very pricey ($25). I did find one MW version for $14 – don’t know if that’s older and less reliable software, or simply less expensive.

Many magazines are available for Nook, with a 14-day free trial. However, one cannot highlight, look up words, or paste notes when reading a magazine.

For 99 cents each, a number of applications to the device, including a calendar with alarm clock, a calculator, checkers, and scrabble. Great to have on hand if when waiting at the airport, the auto repair shop, or in the kitchen as dinner cooks. There are also many applications created to entertain small children.

As long as there’s a WiFi connection, one can search the web or check/send e-mail.

I haven’t loaded any music to my Nook, but that’s yet another option.

I understand that NetFlix also has a free application for streaming video and television shows – which would be great for long car or plane rides. Of course, one has to be a NetFlix member, which involves an additional fee.

LATER THAT SAME DAY…  I just tried adding music to my Nook. It does not accept Windows Media Player files, which means songs on my computer must be converted to MP3s. I did convert a sampling, but when I played them on Nook, the sound quality was poor. Since music isn’t an important feature to me, I still love my Nook Color.

The Tunnel a very exciting movie

Posted on by Carol

My husband and I just rented The Tunnel, about an athlete who defects from East Germany in the 1960′s, only to cross the border again to lead others to freedom. It is subtitled, but the pace of the movie allows one time to read the lines and watch the film. Very suspenseful, with lots of twists and turns.

Read more about this movie on Netflix.

Tricks for solving difficult Sudoku puzzles

Posted on by Carol
Sudoku Step 1

This gallery contains 31 photos.

There are four parts to a Sudoku puzzle. 1. Homes (the individual squares) 2. Blocks (sets of nine homes) 3. Roads (rows) 4. Towers (columns) *** First, work each home within a block. Inside of each empty home, write the numbers not yet used within the block. For example, look at the home in the … Continue reading →

Teaching Zoo, Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, FL

Posted on by Carol

These are images from the Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, Florida. It is the only teaching zoo accredited by the Association of  Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

I graduated from the program in 1992 and, even though I didn’t work as a zookeeper for long, I still have a deep fondness for it.

The overall feel of the zoo is the same. What’s new?

  • The Pavillion used to be the Herp House, where all of the reptiles were kept. It was little more than a large storage shed. Now the reptiles are housed in a spacious, modern building.

  • There is a new administration building.

  • The zoo is now open to the public. As a result, the pathways are  roped, to discourage visitors from passing through dangerous areas or spots vegetated by poison ivy.

  • There is only one rhea left. The rest of the flock was recently stolen.

  • Of course, after such a long time, few of the animals that were there when I attended are still alive. However, I thought the bald eagles might be the same animals (they did eventually breed by the way) and the hawk-headed parrots seemed the same. I thought I saw Thomas’ face on one of the mature male capuchin monkeys. Thomas was an old, balding male who produced many offspring.

  • The rat range — a trailer where we raised feeder rats and mice — is no longer there.

  • The zebra-striped trailer that served as a classroom is now used for storage. It’s been replaced by modern classrooms.

  • A new playground has been installed, as well as some benches.

  • Most of the staff has changed. I believe the only one still there is Cathy Coyne-Russell. Forgive me, Cathy, if I misspelled your name. She is definitely one of the bravest women I’ve ever met, grabbing up escaped gibbons, netting caracals literally running the walls around her in a panic, and jumping among battling peccaries as if it were as common as fixing dinner. And watching her saved me from a couple of close calls while I was at the zoo. I’d find myself in a situation and say, “What would Cathy do?”

As ignorant at the end, as at the start

Posted on by Carol

Lately I lack drive. Or perhaps guilt.

My parents strove hard work. Strove “getting somewhere.” And I’ve been constantly working toward something — anything — that might justify my existence. Things done just for fun were considered frivolous. Which meant everything I did was work — a chore.

But watching our parents whither has changed my outlook. In the end, the “someone” we become is no longer recognized. Instead of being “someone”, we’re the nice (or grumpy) elder with sciatica, a heart condition, and a weak bladder. We are born frail and dependent, and die the same way. We’re as ignorant of the world at the end as at the start.

It’s only a few decades in the middle that count. Not how much we collect, because all of that deteriorates or is discarded out of need — or boredom. The only things that really count are enjoying life and helping others. And by enjoying life, I mean being present — appreciating who and what surrounds us. It’s this simple gratitude that binds us with God. It’s the core of our relationship — both to Him and to one another.

Armed Forces Military Museum in Largo, Florida

Posted on by Carol
Armed Forces Military Museum entrance

This gallery contains 21 photos.

My husband was a military-history major at the Citadel, so while we were on the West Coast of Florida, we made a quick stop at the Armed Forces Military Museum. I was tired that day, so instead of reading the placards I took photographs. That being said, the museum was much nicer and more interesting than … Continue reading →