Christmas Painting

Painting with his new Goodwill easel and paints.

You can see the entire set here, I think?

A Few Christmas Pics

This one is Isaac and Leo asleep together with the Texas flag even.

Cookies for Santa

There were cookies, milk, reindeer food, and cheese for Santa Mouse.

Isaac's New Year's Resolution: Ecology

The Brough family would be proud. As we were discusing resolutions with Isaac, he proclaimed his was to 'take care of the Earth'. This prompted promisses from Denise and I to check out the recycling possibilities from the City of Houston waste disposal.

Also ran accross this article regarding new scientific evidence explaining the importance of location when planting new trees. Seems a new forest in the wrong location can actually heat up the atmosphere.

New Dolls for Next Christmas

After a perfect Christmas vacation we received everything we ever could have wanted, but here is the new wave of dolls. Each one come complete with a micro-processor and a wireless connection. They can sense when you give the other doll more attention. Faith, put it on your list for Santa next year quick!

Bible Study

Here is an interesting interview by Terri Gross with a bible scholar. He describes an interesting interpretation of the New Testament. Indicating that scribes during the Middle Ages may have changed the accounts thereby altering the way we view Jesus during in the New Testament.

Monkey See Monkey Do

Here's a New York Times piece about learning in chimpanzees and humans. It appears that the chimps are better 'cause and effect' learners, while the human children are better imitators. It mentions that the imitation may be a higher evolutionary thought process than the 'cause and effect'.

This is an interesting observation as I am continually attempting to teach Isaac independent thinking skills. No wonder we have such a hard time thinking 'outside the box'.

Oh yes, if there are those that don't believe in evolutionary concepts; I suppose chimps were created with the 'cause and effect' skills, while humans were created simultaneously with the imitation skills.

Official Letters to Santa

The US Postal department has posted the official method of sending mail to Santa or God.

New Orleans Wish List

Here's a wish list posted from a New Orleans resident:
1. CAT 5 Levees
2. Insurance Checks
3. FEMA Trailers
4. Traffic Lights
5. Normal Store Hours
6. Reliable Cell Phones
7. Rebuild New Orleans
8. Coastal Restoration
9. Freinds and Family to come home

Makes me definately appreciate the gifts of my family

Panpsychism

Panpsychism is the idea that every object has a mind, of sorts. Mr. Rudy makes the unusual argument that, if this is true, and you tear a napkin in two halves, it now has two minds. Opens up all kinds of possibilities.

Leo Sleeping with the Pack

After a great weekend of grueling adventuring; Isaac, Leo, and Daddy take a well deserved rest on Sunday. We also found some great play spots when Christian, Faith, and Brian come and visit.

Isaac and Leo's First Pics

Leo gets Knighted

Here's Isaac knighting Leo this weekend

The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas

This is a cautionary tale, be careful what you post on the internet, it is all public information.

Unfortunately, Isaac was informed early of his Christmas surprise. As we were on our bike ride home (3 miles at least, pretty good for the little guy), he asked me when he would get his surprised. He then informed me that he was anxious to meet his new dog Leo, who was named after his imaginary horse...

I was a bit stunned, but we all recovered well to have a tremendous night. All four of us eventually ended up in the bed together. Isaac, wanted to be next to Leo the whole time; and Leo responding the same. Pictures to follow soon.

So for those that attempted to spoil a little boy's Christmas surprise; remember how astonished the Grinch was when the Who's were completely happy on Christmas morning, even after he stole all of their possessions.

You're a mean one Ms. Grinch. But the Who's are celebrating in happiness today.

Hurry Home Uncle Michael

Some scenery to remind you of home. We love you!

...and finally, how can you refuse this guy. I'd recognise that bikini anywhere.

The Cthulhu Circus

What an odd mashup. The Family Circus cartoons and H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft is a science fiction writer who's style called cthulhu mythos. This rather dark philosophy revolves around the insignificance of humanity in the universe and the search for knowledge ending in disaster. This combined with the Family Circus happy view of life make a particularly startling combination. Whoa!

Thanksgiving Google Cartoon

Leo's First Pics

Some pics of our newest family member Leo. He is an 11 week old chocolate lab, named after Isaac's horse (the horse that runs faster than a car, and can leap over buildings). He's learning very quickly; no accidents yet, and having fun fetching the tennis ball. He also loves to sleep.

Quest for the Colored Bubble

On the way to creating a colored soap bubble, this inventor made a miraculous scientific discovery. "It turns out that coloring a bubble is an exceptionally difficult bit of chemistry." Unfortunately, the colored bubble won't be out until February, under the brand name of Zubbles. But when it is, I say we have a bubble party.

RIP Link Wray

I had never heard of this guy, but the mp3, kind of sounds like Mick Jagger.

Editorial 11/23/05: Another tribute to Link Wray on Fresh Air. They used his track in Pulp Fiction. Master of the Power Chord.