text:
May 22 2013
Fixing Water Gaps
Note from PW: Yesterday I posted a list of organizations that are helping Oklahoma tornado victims. You can see that list here if you'd like to help, or check out this page on NewsOK's website for a regularly updated list including local organizations and drop-off centers. Please continue to pray for those who are hurting in Oklahoma.
Post by Marlboro Man. Photos by Paige.
We got a heavy rain Sunday night that completely filled our ponds, which had gotten very low over the past two years. After just a few hours of rain, this pond level raised over 15 feet.
On this pond, you could walk to the island just last week.
Here's a pond from Ree's post last week.
Here's the same pond, from the same perspective, after Sunday's rain.
Here's another picture from last week. The cattle were crossing on dry ground between the pond and the fence.
It's a little fuller now. It's funny how the ponds can be so low for so long, then one night of rain can fill them up.
Because we had so much rain so fast, there was a lot of run-off. This was great for filling the ponds and creeks, but it knocked out the water gaps (the area of a fence that crosses a creek or draw.) This usually requires us to spend a good amount of time over the next day or two working on our water gaps.
So Monday morning, Bryce, Paige and I set out to check the damage. This is the first water gap we checked. The two top wires were in tact, but the rest—including some of the posts—was wiped out.
The first thing you have to do is get your broken wires cleaned off.
The dead grass and logs like to get tangled up in the fence.
Once you get the wires straightened out, you splice them together using fence stretchers.
While I'm splicing, my son is working on the next wire.
After we drive a few t-posts, we add a few wires…
And 45 minutes later, this gap is done. Better than new, almost.
Then it was on to the next one. My daughter really liked this waterfall. She wanted to get on a tube and ride it down.
But we had another water gap to fix. This one had about a 90′ area where the fence was completely taken out.
Fortunately, we beat the cows to it.
Around the corner, we found the problem. This tree had obviously washed down the creek and took the wire with it. The first order of business was to untangle the wire from the tree…
Then pull the wire back to where we could splice it back across the fence opening.
It's a good workout, it's just not much fun.
"I think I have water in my boots."
After getting all the wires stretched back across the creek…
We need to drive some t-posts.
To do this we use a post driver (basically a pipe with a weight on top of it.)
It's not complicated—you just slip the pipe over the post and use it to pound the post into the ground.
Then you clip the wires to the posts…
Spacing each wire evenly on the post.
Then we drive to the other side to drive a few more posts. Instead of packing our stuff on foot, Bryce and I decided to see how the Polaris handles a full creek.
You have to have a little fun while you're fixing water gaps, otherwise it can get pretty monotonous.
I don't like working around brush piles like this because I just know a snake is going to sneak out and bite me.
And wouldn't you know, just about the time I was clipping a wire to the t-post I had just driven, my daughter yelled "SNAKE!"
I just about jumped out of my skin.
But he wasn't in the brush pile—he was down in the water we'd just been in.
It doesn't really give you a warm, fuzzy feeling about wading around in there.
Fortunately, we were done with this gap so we didn't have to fight him for his water hole.
On to the next one. Only ten more to do.
322 Comments and 9 Replies
Sue On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:20 pm
This little old lady (well, maybe not so little — but definitely OLD) just came in from fixing HER water gap — and really wishes MM and his team had been around. The post driver is heck on my shoulders … I, too, admire your grass!
Vera On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:23 pm
Marlboro Man almost writes as Ree does! Hehe
pvfrompv On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:31 pm
This was a great post – I always wondered how the ranchers maintain those miles of fences. No easy task! Then there's the snake issue – As Indiana Jones said: I Hate Snakes! well, the venomous ones anyway….
Heather On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:35 pm
"…spacing each wire evenly on the post." Spoken like a true smarta$$.
Rebecca McN. On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:39 pm
I love when MM posts. I really love learning about what it takes to run the ranch. And just when I thought Bryce would be the one out of all the kids to come back to the ranch after college, that last picture of "stupid trees" and the look on his face had me thinking, maybe not!
Jane On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:39 pm
I HATE snakes!!!! I am so grateful there are not many up here in Minnesota. I would have ran all the way back to the house after seeing that!
Lee C On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:40 pm
Flipping between those last 2 pictures really, really quickly is funny.
Simple things please simple minds.
Pam On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:43 pm
Man, I'm exhausted just reading about this workout.
Debbi B On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:44 pm
Eww Ewww to the snake. Country life sure isnt easy or inexpensive. I know we only have 20 measly acres. But it is very costly to live in the boonies as I call it. Not near anything so gas and travel. Water softener's to propane gas to tractors to whatever seems like we are always needing something.
Brenda On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:45 pm
Any place to donate/help pets?
jp On Thursday, May 23 at 3:37 am
Check at the end of her blog post about the tornados – it was the one on Tues. Has a list of places to send donations and I believe one of them was for pets.
Nell On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:47 pm
Enjoyed this post and picture story!!
Becky R. On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:47 pm
I love that MM doesn't like snakes.
Terrie On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:49 pm
We live on a cattle farm in Kentucky, so our operation is no where near the size of a ranch, but I agree that fixing fencing is no fun. When the cows get out, which fortunately doesn't happen often, my favorite saying is stupid cows. I love them when they are nice and contained, but hate trying to chase them down when they get out. we don't have horses to ride, so we hoof it a different way.
Theresa in alberta On Wednesday, May 22 at 12:57 pm
Bryce has a very expressive "I am not amused" face;). Snakes!!! I would be wearing waist high waders with steel toes ;p
Kristina Z On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:01 pm
Venomous snake? I don't recognize it. Gotta hand it to you cattle guys — it's hard work. I hear you on the rain, though here in N. California it's the snowpack we watch (almost total drought here every summer, always). Slim skiing conditions lead to slim water conditions in the spring, and it's already dry as a bone in the high country here (grazing's probably not too good up there, either). Of course, here in the valley, we've got a robust irrigation system, which makes all the difference. Being in a good district can lead to a five-fiigure difference in the cost/acre of our land, and well it should. Hard to farm without water.
Glad to see you got the rain, but sorry the weather has wrought so much havoc in your state.
Tim bramlett On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:02 pm
We make water gaps with corral panels with cable on top for support,attach plastic barrels to the bottom of the panels and they will float up during a storm. Doesn't work in every situation but I have had really good luck with this!
regina m On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:03 pm
You got rain! That's a blessing.. Take care.
regina m
Mrs. Lucky On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:05 pm
I REALLY hate snakes – that would have put me over the edge! Lots of work to do on a ranch. You all were lucky though. Prayers still being said for those effected by the weather.
E Q On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:07 pm
In CA we never had ponds, pumps/big electric bills/ part of the play.
BUT: The snake photo gave me the willies, his head looked so big, what kind of a snake was he?
Out here they are rattle snakes, they kill livestock, dogs, and people……. so Please be careful……… love reading your posts, equal to Ree's…….
Thank you.
EQ in CA
Salange On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:11 pm
Wow! I'm learning so much via these posts about living and working on a ranch.
I'm so glad you got some good rain! Thanks so very much for sharing!!!
And OK is in my prayers everyday for strength, courage and peace!
Bev On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:11 pm
Hello MM & Ree. We live in Northern CA in cattle country and alfalfa fields. Water is a blessing. You have a great team helping to get things fixed. My DH & I have a question. Since your ranch is so big, do you have shelters to duck into if you are far from the house and barns when it is stormy? Our hearts go out to all of you in Oklahoma. Thank you Ree for posting ways to help. When growing up we experienced earthqauakes, the kindness and caring of so many people has always stayed with us. It is hearening to see and hear so many stories of courage and strength. Blessings to all.
Sal On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:20 pm
Great photos and I love the look on Bryce's face with the water in boots.
I hate the snake ones as I detest them.
glad that your ponds are full however.
Do you ever worry about the kids on the horses and snakes. On TV I saw a movie that made me wonder about this>>>>
Prayers for all of those in your state of OK
Susan Arden On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:23 pm
Lots of good info. Another good slice of life on the ranch. Like those post drivers–a useful adaptation of a plain old pipe.
Jannie Bryant On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:29 pm
The way your family works together is a wonderful thing to watch. Your kids already handle responsibility better than the majority of adults.
AndreaW On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:32 pm
Love the green grass and the full ponds; the barbed wire, mud and snake, not so much.
Firenze On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:35 pm
Love your posts, MM, very informative always Paige took some very good pictures, and Bryce is a clown!
Phoenix Rising On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:36 pm
Who knew water gaps could be so….. sexy.
margaret On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:37 pm
Awesome pics and awesome read…thanks ya'll
Amy in StL On Wednesday, May 22 at 1:57 pm
That sinking feeling when you head into a creek and surmise that the water might be deeper than your boots are tall? I hate that feeling. But not as much as I hate being correct and spending the rest of the day in wet socks.
shari On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:00 pm
Eeeeeek! That snake gave me the willies! I'm not fond of snakes anywhere, but a snake in the water seems so much worse than a snake in the brush. They're FASTER. *chills* On a less scary note, I laughed out loud at the picture of your son in the creek with the caption, "I think I have water in my boots." If I'd already seen the snake, I don't think it would've been as funny!
Donna J. On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:11 pm
Lots of ponds!
Glad you got the rain to fill 'em up.
We are still needing rain here in central Texas.
There is ALWAYS work to do on a ranch/farm.
Good helper with you!
pw/mt On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:13 pm
?Amphibious vehicle?
?Water moccasins?
?Ree do you do the washing and laundering and ironing?
?Do all ranchers have such great biceps as MM?
grandmajohnnie On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:14 pm
How exhausting – what great teamwork and perserverance. GREAT post.
Peggy On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:19 pm
Do the snakes bother the cattle?
Marianne E On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:20 pm
Great photos… um, makes me thankful for my office job, though!
Patti On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:21 pm
What makes RZR's so attracted to water? It seems one never takes the time to drive around, just drive straight through.
Janice On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:22 pm
Paige did an amazing job with those pictures and poor Bryce, I felt his pain. Good thing I wasn't there. I would have dropped over at the sight of that snake.
Deb R On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:30 pm
Great pics Paigey!! Love Bryce's facial expression on the "Yep" – gotta love it!! And a real snake – not a prank!! Great post MM, now I can tell everyone else how to fix the fence while I ride my 4-wheeler around!!
Hollie On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:31 pm
I know its lots of hard work but at least you got some much needed rain. I am just sorry it came with major tornados…
Emmie in Tucson On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:36 pm
Oh it is so beautiful in eastern Oklahoma! I love 'ranch' posts. Very informative and interesting to me, a desert dweller.
Tara S On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:38 pm
Great post. Nice pics Paige!!
Holly On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:46 pm
Good post. Very interesting. Excellent photos Ms. Paige!
Deb Owen On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:49 pm
I was enjoying this post until your daughter yelled, "SNAKE!" (I'm just guessing her voice was all caps), then I had to check out. Too many summers spent on my Grandparents Kansas farms. I hate snakes. Really.
Honey On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:50 pm
Ok, so I didn't know Oklahoma had rattle snakes….I know that here in Arizona we have more than our fair share of them….& I really HATE snakes! I am glad that the Lord blessed you with rain, it's too bad that it came on the heels of a giant tornado that did so much distruction. We haven't had rain in so long….a drought is what we have had for 15 years and it just seems to be getting worse. My prayers are with those of Oklahoma that have been hit so hard by the tornados.
Linda Perkins On Wednesday, May 22 at 2:56 pm
Great Post. Love the pictures from Paige with Ladd's commentary. It really made my day. Thanks so very much!!!
pam On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:01 pm
Oh Ree…your boy is growing up….
Denise in VA On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:02 pm
Thanks for the post–Loved seeing the land (and the water…). The ranch looks great
You have a beautiful life, but you sure earn it!
Kathy Second Fiddle On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:04 pm
Lovin' your posts – Thanks! Yes, I love the photo of the face your son makes when there is water in his boots. *Total Empathy*
Every snake deserves a scream… that's my motto.
Thanks again – Thank you to Paige for great photos !
Quinn On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:04 pm
Is that 15 vertical feet, like in sea level measurement? I'm trying to imagine the kind of area that rise would submerge, in a landscape that looks – at least in the photos – to have such gentle topography. By the way, water gap has a very different meaning, too…I learned it years ago in Geology class. It's where water has gradually cut a way right through mountains. Like the Delaware Water Gap.
Thanks for your posts – really interesting!
anniebreland On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:08 pm
No fun fixing fencing. Love the pictures
Mallory On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:10 pm
This brought back memories of helping my dad fix fence when I was a kid.
jill On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:10 pm
I love these posts. Though I live in Europe, I'm grew up on a farm in IA. These feel familiar to me. They make me miss home!
West TX Judy On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:14 pm
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh life on the Ranch looks so grand,…until you got to the snake!!! Still, so glad you got the water…..we in Lubbock, TX would love some of that stuff!
Bonnie M On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:25 pm
Great teamwork Ladd, Paige and Bryce! You sure do accomplish a lot in a span of hours! Beautiful photography Paige! You are quite the craftsperson according to your Mom's posts awhile back, and it seems like you are mastering the art of photography! Don't know how you got such a clear couple pictures of the snake though! My hands would've been shaking so much that no one could decipher what the photo was!! Eeeeeeeeekkkkkk! Shudder, shiver and squeal!!!! Ugh! Wait a minute, got one more, Yikessssssssssss!!! Okay. Done now!
Great "Yep!" face Bryce!
Thank you MM for admitting that a big, tough cowboy doesn't really care for snakes!
Bet you had a good dinner waiting for you guys when you got home!
Thank you for sharing! Take Care, God Bless.
You are good people!
Keeping Oklahoma ~ Shawnee and Moore especially ~ in my thoughts and prayers.
Glenda R B On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:27 pm
Would love to have some your rain here in southern NM.
Great pictures…
Patty On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:41 pm
I loved all the pictures, well not the snake – you do have your work cut out for you on this project. Be safe…
Zandra On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:43 pm
As a fellow Oklahoman I say "Thank God for the rain" but for we ranchers it does present a few problems.
Mary D On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:43 pm
Jennifer On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:43 pm
Looks like what we went through after some storms here in FL a few years ago! I HATE the snakes too! My boys used to love building / fixing the water fence until a cotton mouth swan right up to Daddy last year, now they are scared of the water! The joys of owning cattle!
Debbie Lawrence On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:50 pm
I was just amazed at your pictures on telling us all the story of your lands and the waters.
I appreciate sooo much on you showing us how life is on the ranges with all your horses and cows.
My husband and i just moved to Cedar Hill Texas and I havent really seen too much of the Texas land except houses and houses and more houses and they are taking away the wildlife in this state.I moved from Ocala Florida in a small farming community called Anthony and I just miss the farms and the horses and the oaks and the people.
I know the folks of oklahoma are just suffering with these tornadoes and i see Texas had a few creeping up on us a few nights ago and i was a little worried but made it.
Ocala got the turrent of rain but nothing like what you have showed us.
Orginally I am a New Hampshire woman and miss my life there too with the deep snows and ice but i would take that anyday to these tornatoes.God Bless you and your family for what you show all of us with your pictures and your way of love…Emjoy everyminute. Debbie
Toni from KY On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:51 pm
Great post about regular ranch work most non rancher would never think about. I was wondering if you knew what kind of snake it was. I couldn't tell by the picture. And by the way you might have another professional blogger and photographer on your hands Ree.
Charlotte Hunt On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:54 pm
I love these posts and the experiences that are so interesting on the ranch. I grew up on a farm… little bitty! I also am thrilled to see the education your children are having working along side their dad on the ranch. You can never under estimate how this will help them as they grow up and find their own ranch or place to farm. They have wonderful parents.
Thanks for sharing.
jeanie On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:55 pm
Over here, we have creek and river crossings every time it rains (understand your pain)
Often, a wire gate or slip post are used in the crossing so that when the rush comes through, it will just open the gate or fence without breaking any wires – still get tangles and all sorts of muck but there are definite advantages to pulling up a fence as opposed to rebuilding it when possible!!
You can keep that snake.
Nancy Hoetker On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:56 pm
As much as I love Ree's posts about food/cooking/her life, I really love MM's posts about the "ranching" part of ranch life.
BTW, on my mother-in-law's land in Illinois we refer to a post driver as a "slammer-jammer" (pronounced "slamma-jamma").
Janelle On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:57 pm
Thank you so much for this post, I have a whole bunch of fencing that needs to be done so I better get to it.
Angela Mehrtens On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:57 pm
Wow. A lot of damage requiring a lot of repair. Glad that everyone was safe so they could do the repairs.
Donna On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:58 pm
so what kind of snake was it? all snakes are deadly…they all cause heart attacks!
StacyJ On Wednesday, May 22 at 3:58 pm
Better to have water in your boot than a snake!! Just ask Woody from Toy Story
Renee Christensen On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:02 pm
I loved reading this blog. I miss my grandparents farm. Glad you guys are okay after the tornado.
Kristen Anderson On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:05 pm
Such a great post – informative and entertaining! Thanks!
Verla On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:13 pm
I hope you used those wirecutters to chop that snake to bits! Uck. The only good snake is a DEAD snake!
Linda Lakewood On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:14 pm
So glad you and the family and ranch were not hit by the big tornado. Thanks for sharing about routine ranch work. Pictures are great and the text that goes with them is perfect.
dobes On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:16 pm
Just a fascinating lifestyle for someone who has never lived south or west of New York City. I can't believe Marlboro Man has a snake phobia!
Cherie On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:16 pm
It's almost like being there except I didn't have to sweat or ache or get up early!!
Connie L. On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:17 pm
So happy your family is okay and your damage was something that could be fixed. Just tragic what happened out your way. Prayers for all of OK. Your post was interesting. Cool for us "city folk" lol to see how Ranchers live. As for the snake OMG! So glad it didn't bite you. Now, I on the other hand would have run so fast I would have been a blur. My opinion of snakes is "Hate, Hate, Hate!, Double Hate!, Loathe entirely!" (A little movie quote your wife, the movie buff, might get.)
GJahnTX On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:18 pm
Great Blog… great photos… I really enjoyed this walk through your day MM. BTW your kids are great!
Jan On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:20 pm
Everyone that follows this blog live vicariously through the life and times of the Drummond family. It does my heart good to know so many want to know more about ranching and a good family life raising a homeschooling family. It is hard work and a life-style choice! Nice post and thank you and your kids for sharing your day with all the "flies on the wall". Jan
Liz On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:24 pm
I jumped out of my skin just reading "snake" so I'd surely have died had I been there in person! I love seeing a good hard-working family!
Kentuckylady717 On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:26 pm
Great article and pictures Ree….really enjoyed it…..and your son is getting to be soooooooo cute
The snake gave me the creeps tho……I too hate snakes………………
Liz P On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:27 pm
What some beautiful pasture land you have, it goes on and on. Love it. A lot of work though.
Paula P. On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:31 pm
Thankfully the snake decided to play nice when you were in the water. Bryce looks like he just loves fixing fence… NOT!
Valerie On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:34 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how powerful mother nature can be, especially when it comes
to raging waters.
Devona On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:42 pm
Loved this post and pics! Makes my having to do laundry a bit easier…pretty sure there are no snakes lurking about. Yikes!!
Ann On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:42 pm
What a wonderful blog! Your children are growing up just like dear old Mom and Dad. I'm so jealous of all of it. I sure hope you know how lucky and blessed you are, Ree Drummond. LOL I know you do! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
Arik On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:46 pm
I love it. Thank you for this…
Awesome photos, btw.
Penny On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:53 pm
Luv this post! Great job Paige and MM. What a wonderful family and I so much enjoy feling like I'm right there on the ranch living out my dream!! Tks
kat-in-texas On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:54 pm
Gosh y'all work so hard!!! Never a dull moment is there? (especially with snakes…)
texas momma On Wednesday, May 22 at 4:59 pm
Wow that takes me back to the days of growing up on our family ranch. Hated repairing fences and for sure hated fixing the water gap. But it was just one of those things you had to do, no choice!
Sherry On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:04 pm
I was thinking about snakes since I seem to keep finding them at my house! And I live in a neighborhood!!! YIKES!!
Boo in MN On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for the Oklahoma info yesterday!!!! Interesting post again today, as always!
Kathy Huffman On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:11 pm
Love the post and great pix. Being a city gal, I love seeing how the whole family pulls together to work the ranch. Y'all work hard and play hard.
donna harris On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:20 pm
If I'd seen that snake I would have "SCREAMED" too and would be back to the house in a second! I hate snakes can you tell. Nice photos but a lot of hard work with the fences. I know how fast rain water can rise back about a month ago we had all of them floods here. The Mississippi and Rock River was way above flood stage. Our street was flooded and I couldn't get out for a day, until the pump house finally did it's job. Still praying for all the people in Oklahoma.
Terri Naes On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:34 pm
After seeing all that work…(1 done, 10 to go). I think you all need more kids aka ranch helpers
Tracy On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:35 pm
I have never made a comment about another woman's husband. But, knowing I am far, far, away in New York….I will simply offer this observation: what IS it about muscular forearms. Goodness.
Ok, I'm all better now. A practical question: why do cowboys wear button down, collared shorts instead of, say, t-shirts or long sleeved pullovers? Is the sun protection offered by a collar? It just seems like a t-shirt (short or long sleeved) would be so much easier. I'm sure I'm missing something and am hoping Ree or MM will set me straight.
Karri from California On Thursday, May 23 at 3:13 am
Love the post– very interesting. Hate barbed wire– very wicked stuff (bad wicked not good wicked) I hate to be so shallow but I too was noticing the shirt. My husband wears long sleeve t shirts when working outside even when its hot. Maybe its just a style choice. Our thoughts are with you Oklahoma.
Mommajor On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:40 pm
Great pics Paige and great narrative MM. Snakes are not my friends either. Isn't it amazing from famine to flood all in one day. I am sure that the water is a great thing, but all in one storm is something else. I need a nap just looking at the work involved.
Ana On Wednesday, May 22 at 5:46 pm
We have to take the good with the bad. :o) Love the info and the pictures. Thank you for sharing!
Joan Maxwell On Wednesday, May 22 at 6:00 pm
I don't suppose after all that exercise that you did a five mile run.
Lynda B.P. On Wednesday, May 22 at 6:11 pm
Your kids sure do work hard (as well as the adults in the family), but wow…..
Bonnie Beck On Wednesday, May 22 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for that list – my husband was looking for a way to contribute to the OK tornado victims from here in Vermont
krys2000 On Wednesday, May 22 at 6:20 pm
What an awesome post! I'm forwarding this to my hubby so that he can see what's in our future!


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Shumlin notes job training, despite few joblessBy WILSON RING
The Associated Press | April 11,2013
Toby Talbot / AP Photo Gov. Peter Shumlin, center, holds a news conference Wednesday at Omega Electrical Construction Inc. in South Burlington. Omega has been working with the state to sponsor employees who get trained while working full time.SOUTH BURLINGTON A South Burlington electrical contractor that is hiring to meet burgeoning demand for its services has been meeting that demand with a state apprenticeship program that trains employees while they are working full time.
In the last 30 days, Omega Electrical Construction Inc. has hired six to eight new employees, and over the last decade about 50 of its current 130 workers have come through the four-year apprenticeship program, company officials said Wednesday, when Gov. Peter Shumlin and other top officials highlighted the program in a news conference.
With the economy growing, the firm is the busiest its been in years, said Al Senecal, who has owned the business with his wife, Cheryl, since 1990.
Its difficult to find licensed electricians right now, so were growing them ourselves, he said. Weve been hiring a lot of people.
Shumlin, speaking at the companys headquarters near the Burlington International Airport, said the state has been working hard to ensure businesses have enough workers.
I think its worth celebrating that Vermont right now has the third-lowest unemployment rate in America. That doesnt happen by coincidence, Shumlin said.
In February Vermonts unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, tied for the third-lowest in the country.
There are a number of other programs that Shumlin highlighted, including programs for military veterans, on-the-job training and internship grants for high schools.
The Vermont Department of Labor says a number of industries are hiring, including manufacturing, health care, and business and professional services. Openings are also expected in construction and related industries and businesses that cater to summer tourists.
The apprenticeship program that Omega is a part of hires untrained people. They work full time while attending classes. If all goes well, at the end of the four years the employee will graduate with an electricians license. Omega pays the tuition for the classes, which run three hours twice a week from September through March.
Before they are licensed, the employees will do work for the company that doesnt require a license. Currently, the company has about 20 employees in the training program, Al Senecal said.
Its a very important part of our livelihood, quite frankly, he said. If were not training young men and women to be the future, we just wouldnt be here. We wouldnt be able to do what were doing without them because otherwise wed be staffed with an old bunch of retirees.MORE IN Vermont NewsMONTPELIER The state Public Service Board on Friday announced it would fine Vermont Gas Systems... Full StoryMONTPELIER Less than a month after Vermonts out-of-state inmates were moved from a private... Full StoryA confidential memo obtained by Vermont Public Radio shows that the Agency of Education is still... Full Story
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I'm very happy to announce the release of Coollector 2.0.
Coollector is a Windows program, completely free and very easy to use.
If you're at all interested in movies, you should give it a try.
It's the exceptional combination of 4 features:
+ Personalized Movie Encyclopedia
+ Database of Existing Videos
+ Collection Organizer
+ Best Price Finder
The swiss knife of movie lovers
My website: www.coollector.com


text:
To view photo gallery of the Roush Museum, click here
LIVONIA, Mich. -- Tucked away in an industrial part of Detroit, in Livonia, Mich., is the Roush Museum -- although as you pull into the parking lot you would have no idea it's there. There's no sign telling you where you are; no defining "Roush" marks in the parking lot, on the building -- it literally looks like any other office complex.
When you finally find the door -- unmarked, made of standard glass -- you enter a Roush Racing souvenir shop. Gear from Roush's entire stable of drivers is on display and available for a small price.
After walking past a couple of racks of Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle shirts and jerseys, you wind up in the back of the store where the restrooms are located. There's a door for the men and the women, and then a third door on the back wall, unmarked, of course.
It's when that door is opened you realize you aren't in your normal souvenir shop. You can almost hear a choir sing as the door swings open displaying an enormous collection of American vehicles dating back to the invention of the automobile.
Described as a "collection more than a museum" by Dennis Corn, manager of powertrain design and analysis for Roush Industries and tour guide this Friday afternoon, the Roush Museum is a large garage full of "Jack's toys" -- most with four wheels, but some with two and of course, propellers.
"We are open to the public, but it's by approval only," Corn said. "Museum isn't the right word -- this is a private collection."
The museum is loaded with cars, with Ford clearly the heavy favorite. More than 70 cars are parked in what looks like a warehouse and surprisingly, despite the age of some of the cars, a majority are functioning vehicles that can be taken out on the street for a joyride -- which according to Corn, Mr. Roush does on occasion.
Of course, there are stock cars -- Mark Martin's 500th Cup start, Edwards' Boston Red Sox paint scheme are a couple of standouts, with other Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series vehicles littered among the collection.
But this isn't just a glorified garage for Roush's racecars. There are about 15 concept cars in the collection, as well as a plethora of Mustangs, convertibles, Model Ts -- the list goes on and on. If you are a car connoisseur, this is your Holy Grail.
A highlight of the collection is a 1913 Rauch & Lang Electric Brougham. It's the oldest car in the collection and actually is defined on the license plate as a "horseless carriage."
But it's not just cars at the museum. Roush's affinity for flying also is on display with a P-51 propeller hanging on the wall, as well as replica bombs from a P-51 sitting beneath the propeller.
On a wall are the remains of the plane Roush crashed in April 2002. The propeller, both wings and the body of the plane -- a mangled mess of fiberglass and metal that is barely recognizable -- hangs as a reminder of just how precious life is and how quickly it could be taken away.
It takes about an hour to walk through and take a good look at the vehicles on display and one usually is at a loss for words in trying to describe the visit. Bruce Quigley, winner of the 2007 Irwin Ultimate Tradesman Challenge, had trouble finding the right adjectives.
"Awesome. I love cars, I love speed, I think it's great," Quigley said
In November 2007, Quigley bested two other finalists in Phoenix winning $20,000, a Ford F-150 customized by Roush, a private tour of the Roush Museum, tickets to the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway and a VIP barbeque with Roush Fenway driver Jamie McMurray on Thursday.
"We went out to Brooklyn, a little pub out there, kind of a low-key type thing. I was able to bring 30 friends and family with me and Jamie came by, and stayed for quite a while," Quigley said. "Real good guy. He came out and made time for everybody, made sure he got to everybody, everybody got an autograph that wanted one, it was great."
While Quigley would never complain about his prize -- it could have been so much more.
The winner of the challenge got to pick a toolbox numbered from 1 to 26. Going into the contest, Quigley had decided if he won, he would take No. 13. But before his trip to Phoenix, a friend told him to go with No. 14 -- that was the case he needed to take.
Faced with the decision, Quigley stuck with his gut and chose No. 13, which held $20,000. Number 14? $1.26 million.
"People love the story, they laugh about it," Quigley said with a chuckle. "That haunts me everyday and people get a bigger kick out of it ... for me it's just a kick."
Money aside, Quigley is clearly thrilled with how this past year has unfolded and the Roush Museum provided one of the many highlights. A self-described car guy, Quigley had a smile on his face most of the afternoon and came loaded with questions for which Corn was more than prepared.
"It's just incredible," Quigley said. "It's the history going through here, it's just incredible."


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Look Bitchie: Nicki Minaj's Shoes on 106 and Park
Kelsy wrote: LOVE! LOVE! LOVE YOUR SITE. ONE THING I'VE NOTICED IS WHEN YOU LIKE SOMETHING OR YOUR FANS LIKE SOMETHING(SHOES) YOUR ALWAYS ABLE TO FIND THE BRAND AND WHERE IT CAN BE PURCHASED. I WOULD BE SOOOOOOO STOKED IF YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL WHERE I CAN FIND THOSE SICK ASS SHOES, THAT NICKI MINAJ WORE ON 106 & PARK YESTERDAY. THANKS.
Nicki Minaj wore an Alexander Wang Cutout Ponte dress during her appearance on 106 & Park that she paired with Versace Orange Python Cut out Boots. The price tag on the dress $560; The boots $1,995
If you prefer the look for less, go with these options:
Left to Right: Topshop Sporty Bodycon Dress, $65. Bebe Shana Leather Cuffed Platform Sandals, $149.
Additional options if you are in to shoes with ankle wraps:
Left to Right: ZiGiny Starter Sandal, $199.95 or the Luichiny Crank It Up Sandal, $118.50 (colors vary)
See more star style at The Fashion Bomb !


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Viewers: in countries Watching now:
In this course, Jan Kabili provides an approachable introduction to organizing, editing, and sharing photos in Lightroom. The course offers a quick-start approach to the basics, from importing photos from a camera or a hard drive, to managing photos in the Library module, to improving photos by adjusting exposure, recovering details from highlights and shadows, sharpening, and more. Jan also includes a look at popular Lightroom features for sharing photos: exporting, printing, and creating slideshows.
Lightroom is built on a catalog system. Before you jump into using Lightroom, it's important to understand what a Lightroom catalog is and how it works, so that you don't inadvertently cause Lightroom to lose track of the photos that you bring in. So a catalog is a database that contains a record of each photo that you import, and when I say import, I'm making those little air quotes because you don't actually physically import a file into some location inside of Lightroom. There is no such place inside of a Lightroom catalog file. What you do import into Lightroom is information about your file, including where the files are located on your hard drive, or even on an external drive if you so choose.
So inside the Lightroom catalog there will be links to your actual files wherever they live, there will be little previews of your actual photos which is what these are, and there will be some metadata, or information about the files that you bring in. So here, for example, I've selected a file and I have information that came from my digital camera about the camera settings that I used at the time I took the photo. In addition, any information that you create here in Lightroom about a photo will be included in the catalog. So if you add a keyword to a photo, that will be included in the record of that photo.
And the same is true if you make adjustments to the exposure or color in a photo, as we'll do later in the course on the Develop module; that information is also in the catalog. So all of this has implications for the way that you work in Lightroom. First of all, it means that you can store your actual photos anywhere, on your main computer, or as I said, an external drive, and Lightroom will be able to keep track of them, as long as Lightroom knows where they are. Secondly, it means that you need to protect those actual photos. Don't delete them under the mistaken impression that they're somehow inside Lightroom because as I said, they're not really inside Lightroom; there are just links to them inside Lightroom.
And thirdly, if you need to move any photo or move a folder that contains photos, do so from inside of Lightroom. Don't go out to your operating system and do that. If you do move a file or a folder in your operating system that you've already imported into Lightroom, this is what will happen. You'll see a question mark on that folder here in the Folders panel, and the files that that folder contains will have question marks on them top. Now this isn't the end of the world. If you know where you've moved that folder to, you can right-click or Ctrl+Click right on that little folder icon in the Folders panel and choose Find Missing Folder and navigate out to the current location of the folder.
If you do need to move folders or move files, you should do so here in Lightroom like this. Let's say that I click on one of these folders, and here I can see the photos that are located inside of this folder on my hard drive. So say I want to move this photo of the sunset to another folder, say the Denver museums folder, I'll click on it here in the main window in the Lightroom Library module and I'll drag and I'll go down into this other folder in the Folders panel and release my mouse. And this warning tells me I'm actually moving the file out on my hard drive. That's okay.
I'll click Move and sure enough, the photo is gone from its original folder, and here it is in the place to which I moved it, and it has no question marks, so all is fine. And if I were to go out to my hard drive, I would see that this move had taken place in my actual folders out on the drive. So now that you know what a catalog is and how it works, you're ready to begin importing photos into a catalog yourself, as I'm going to show you how to do in the next chapter.
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Archives per year : 2013
Music 09/04/2013
New Music Videos: Pixies, Birds of Chicago, Born Gold
This week, we've got videos for tracks from Birds of Chicago, the Pixies, Half Waif, Yuna and Born Gold.
Uncategorized 09/04/2013
Motionmakers of the Week: Morning Announcements, Texting vs. Calling, How To Feel Better
This week we're bringing you the first installment of Morning Announcements, two new music videos, and two shorts about starting and ending relationships.
Movies 09/02/2013
FREE Sneak Preview: A Perfect Couple
Dailymotion is offering visitors the chance to watch the drama "A Perfect Couple" on Monday, September 2nd from 6p.m. to midnight (Eastern Time) for FREE before it goes on sale on our openVOD platform.
Movies 08/30/2013
New Movie Trailers: Linsanity, Dallas Buyers Club, Dead Before Dawn
This week, we've got new promos featuring Jeremy Lin, Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club, Shailene Woodley in Divergent, Dead Before Dawn and more.
Funny 08/30/2013
Funny Friday: Jobs Parody, Jersey Shore on Jersey Shore, Weird Wikileaks
This week, we've got a parody of the Steve Jobs movie, the Jersey Shore commenting on "Jersey Shore", roof jump fails, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's weird music video and more.
New Music Albums: September 2013
Here's our guide to the most notable and buzzworthy albums to check out in September.
Weird 08/28/2013
Weird Wednesday: Chocolate Wasted, Flammable Tassels, $1 Homes
This week, prepare yourself for a driver who was chocolate wasted, flammable nipple tassels, $1 homes, weird Atari games, the weirdest things left on planes and more.
Uncategorized 08/27/2013
Motionmakers of the Week: Nitro Warriors 2-Afterburner, Fire N' Rain, Friendzia and Gone Girl
This week we're bringing you Nitro Warriors 2 (a Dailymotion original), a tribute to the cinematic classic Breakfast Club, and two shorts from up and coming directors Dean Peterson and Jeremy White. …
Gaming 08/27/2013
New Video Games: September 2013
Find out which titles you should check out in September.
Music 08/27/2013
New Music Videos: Mixhell, YG, Deny the Lie
This week, we've got videos for tracks from Mixhell, YG, Deny the Lie, Paris Washboard and Little Green Cars.


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To have a computer chip embedded in your brain, directing your thoughts; under government control.
I've been chipped and now I can't think for myself.
by dgldjljf September 23, 2011
5 more definitions
Top Definition
Buzzed, Stoned, Baked, High on pot
Dude I got chipped before school yesterday.
by bermudadude123 June 01, 2010
Nice car; is it chipped yet?
by The Finer Definer June 02, 2003
To never win at anything and to lose by a rediculous margin.
"Man you killed me in Fifa, Forty-five to nothing....I GOT CHIPPED!!!"
by Commissioner K August 10, 2009
beat vagina, comes complete with flappy lips.
get that chipped ham out of my face!
by The Real Rick March 14, 2007


text:
Hand-cut Schonbek crystal gives this ceiling light uncommon sparkle.
Let your room sparkle from the top down with this crystal flushmount ceiling light. A basket of heritage hand-cut clear crystal beautifully refracts light from three fixtures within. Hardware in a polished silver finish peeks out adding an extra dose of glamour. Design by Schonbek.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
arrived promptly
good instructions
Our associates are standing by to assist you.


text:
Fashion designer Anand Jon was found guilty of 16 of 23 counts of sexual abuse today in LA. The charges included multiple counts of forcible and statutory rape. Jon allegedly lured aspiring models, some as young as 14, to a Beverly Hills apartment by promising them high profile work—before coercing them into "sadistic fantasies."
The designer, who created clothes for Paris Hilton and appeared on America's Next Top Model, was originally arrested in March 2007. Jon faces potential life imprisonment for his crimes.
[Photo: Getty Images]
View Photo Gallery


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See definition in Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryLine breaks: blow|out
Pronunciation: /ˈbləʊaʊt/
Definition of blowout in English:
1An occasion when a tyre on a vehicle bursts or an electric fuse melts.
Example sentences
- You never know when you are going to suffer a tyre blowout or when another driver is just going to be plain careless.
- Tyre blowouts are common on a lot of trips and this is an area that weight can have a huge effect on.
- Most roads are gravel, meaning accidents and tyre blowouts are not uncommon.
puncture, flat tyre, burst tyre
informal flat
1.1An uprush of oil or gas from a well: [as modifier]: a blowout preventer
More example sentences
- Even after the blowout had been brought under control, the oil continued to seep out of the ocean floor, he says.
- A similar blowout event also occurred in the onshore Seria Field in 1953.
- Successional patterns will be truncated or prevented in sites with frequent major disturbances, e.g. blowouts, water level changes, etc.
1.2North American informal An outburst of anger or an argument: that exchange led to a big blowout five years ago
More example sentences
- I had a big blowout with the federal government.
- If you can't talk about this without a big blowout, write her a letter explaining how you feel.
- Letting frustrations fester is a real good way to ensure blowouts and fits of anger later on, so best to get it all out in the open.
2 informal A large or lavish meal or social gathering: it is difficult to imagine the slim person going for a real blowout
More example sentences
- He was still crowing over the success of his Dallas showroom expansion and the blowout coming-out party.
- But before we can weigh anchor, Flores erupts into Festa do Emigrante, a blowout party celebrating Azorean emigrants' annual return to the islands, beginning in July.
- Despite the minor grumbles, we had a superb meal - especially with palates so jaded after the festive blowout.
3North American An event at which goods are sold at heavily discounted prices: the purpose of the blowout is to motivate new customers to visit [as modifier]: the local store is having a big blowout sale—everything 65 per cent off
More example sentences
- Almost every store you pass, every corner you take, you'll find sales, discounts, blowouts, bargains, and of course shoppers cashing in on sweet holiday deals.
- Dozens, maybe hundreds, of used console games are on sale in their October blowout sale.
- The Prop Shop is sadly closing tomorrow so we're having a blowout sale with tees marked down to $10 and $12.
4North American informal An easy victory in a sporting contest or election: the game had been a blowout
More example sentences
- Only the Vikings broke the barrier in a blowout victory over the Packers.
- Gus was tenacious defensively; even in a blowout victory he wouldn't let the other team have an inch of space.
- While the first two games were both blowouts, the first playoff game in Memphis' history was highly competitive with the Spurs never leading by more than 6 points.
5North American An act or instance of blow-drying hair: you can't do a blowout with super wet hair
More example sentences
- Want to achieve that salon style blowout at home?
- Stylist Marvin Carrington decided to revamp her shoulder-length, naturally wavy hair with a sleek blowout, defined layers and blond highlights.
- So it was only a matter of time before shoulder pads, designer jeans, leg warmers, wide belts, layered peasant skirts and big, broad, blowout hair started to look good to us again.
6A hollow eroded by the wind.
Example sentences
- Parabolic dunes are formed when the wind causes a blowout, that is, begins to gouge sand out from around a patch of vegetation that has weakened its grip.
- The crater resulting from the blowout was measured at 34m long, 15m wide and 6m deep.
- This one-side riddled basin can even persist beyond the blowout bifurcation, contrary to the previously reported riddled basins which exist only below the blowout transition.
Words that rhyme with blowoutbuyout • layabout
Definition of blowout in:
- US English dictionary
- English synonyms
- US English synonyms
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Nomography is the graphical representation of mathematical relationships for purposes of calculation. Invented in 1880 by Maurice d'Ocagne (1862–1938), nomograms were used extensively well into the 1970s (and occasionally today) to provide engineers with fast graphical calculations of complicated formulas to a practical precision.
In 1982 H. A. Evesham produced his doctoral thesis, a review of the important discoveries in nomography. Often cited in related works, it has only recently been professionally typeset and released as a book by Docent Press. If you have an interest in the theoretical aspects of nomography beyond the basic construction techniques of most books, you will appreciate this book. Evesham does a wonderful job of weaving mathematical discoveries in nomography from many contributors into a readable but scholarly work.
The simplest nomogram consists of three or more straight or curved scales, each representing a function of a single variable appearing in an equation. The user can calculate an unknown variable by laying a straightedge across the values of the known variables on their scales; the result is the value crossed on the scale of the unknown variable. Nomograms for equations of additional variables can be constructed by incorporating grids of variable scales, by concatenating simpler nomograms, or with translucent overlays of additional scale arrangements. The creativity seen in some nomograms is astonishing.
In fact, the elegance of nomograms often hides the sophisticated mathematics that underlies them; at one time this represented a unique field of applied mathematics. The French invention of nomography quickly spread to Germany, the U.S., Britain, Russia, Poland and other countries, and marvelous arrangements of curved and overlaid scales were developed. Unfortunately, those of us who enjoy our expeditions through this lost world quickly discover that many original sources still considered masterpieces in the field have never been translated into English. Further, many of the original sources reside in journals that can be difficult to locate.
Evesham's book centers on the theory of nomography; as such, there are mathematical derivations and sketches of the corresponding scale curves, but few finished nomograms. The nomograms in this review were created using determinant equations found in Evesham's book. The book offers a broad survey of the field that can be useful in the design of various nomograms today.
Two major threads in the history of nomography are existence criteria and anamorphosis. Existence criteria tell you if the equation you are interested in can be represented as a nomogram (i.e., can be expressed as a determinant equation in standard nomographic form). They also provide guidance in algebraically converting the equation to one of the canonical forms that have matching nomographic forms. Anamorphosis is the process of manipulating an equation into different forms of nomogram, say from three parallel scales to one curve of two scales and one straight scale, or even a single curve along which all three scales lie. It is much more than a simple affine transformation or projection.
Evesham first describes the work of Leon Lalanne, who in 1843 jiggered the x- and y-axis scalings on a Cartesian plot to bend the curves for the equation xy = k into straight lines. In the process Lalanne created the first log-log plot in history and ultimately produced his Universal Calculator graphical computer seen on the cover of Evesham's book. It was Lalanne who termed this process anamorphosis.
The road from Lalanne to d'Ocagne's invention of nomography is a slow trip until 1867, followed by an explosion of ideas in the 1880s. The event in 1867 was Paul de Saint-Robert's presentation of his test to determine whether an equation can be represented by two fixed scales and a sliding scale (as in a special slide rule). This is equivalent to the three parallel scales of d'Ocagne's later nomogram for the simple addition of three functions. In other words, we are interested in whether an equation in the form F(x,y,z) = 0 can be rewritten in the form Z(z) = X(x) + Y(y). The Saint-Robert criterion says this is possible if
As an example, consider a nomogram for the equation z = ax + by + cxy + d, or F(x,y,z) = –z + ax + by + cxy + d = 0. Can it be drawn it as three parallel scales in x, y and z? Here
So, yes, we find that we can create a simple addition nomogram of three parallel scales as Z(z) = X(x) + Y(y). Evesham also describes Saint-Robert's method for finding the actual functions X(x), Y(y) and Z(z) to plot along the scales. In this case the functions are shown below, followed by a nomogram for the particular equation z = 5x + 10y + 2xy. The sample isopleth on the nomogram demonstrates the graphical calculation of z = 150 when x = 2 and y = 10.
Saint-Robert's criterion is also useful for more complicated equations for which it is difficult to determine whether a simple addition form exists. For example, an equation of the form
can be cast as
In fact, the variables x, y and z can be replaced here by any function f1(x), f2(y) and f3(z) and this formulation holds.
Evesham also describes two different criteria by Massau and Lecornu for expressing F(x,y,z) = 0 in the form Z1(z)X(x) + Z2(z)Y(y) = 1, which is equivalent to the general form Z1(z)X(x) + Z2(z)Y(y) + Z3(z) = 0.
Evesham continues his presentation by discussing the important existence theorems of Grönwall, Kellogg and Džems-Levi. Ultimately he points to Warmus' publication Nomographic Functions in 1959 as the first comprehensive treatment of existence criteria for functions of three variables. Warmus uses exhaustive algebraic techniques based on classifications of equations to either find the determinant elements or show that it is not possible.
An overview of d'Ocagne's classic Traitè de Nomographie of 1899 is then provided. This is followed by a detailed look at J. Clark's nomographic discoveries. Consider an equation Clark used, the addition formula for the tangent function:
This can actually be drawn as a basic parallel scale addition nomogram. As one approach, a nomogram is first created for (a+b) = a + b, which for a parallel-scale nomogram consists of identical linear scales for a and b and a linear scale for (a+b) with half the spacing of the other scales and located exactly between them. Then the tangent of each value is simply plotted on the other side of the scales to produce an addition nomogram for the tangent function. A straightedge placed across the values on the tan a and tan b scales will cross the corresponding value on the tan (a+b) scale.
Clark looked at unique nomographic forms that are possible with certain types of equations. One of his results is that an equation in the form f1f2A3 + (f1 + f2)B3 + C3 = 0 can be represented by the following general determinant equation:
where A3, B3 and C3 are functions of the third variable. Expanding the determinant produces the equation (f2 – f1) [f1f2A3 + (f1 + f2)B3 + C3] = 0, which satisfies the original equation but consists of an extra factor (f2 – f1) that we will return to later.
With the substitution f1 = tan a, f2 = tan b and f3 = tan (a+b), the tangent addition formula can be written as
Matching this to Clark's form above, we find that A3 = f3, B3 = 1 and C3 = –f3 so the determinant equation is of the form
Dividing the third row by f3 we arrive at the standard nomographic form of functions of one variable in each row and a final column of 1's:
When a nomogram is in this standard form, the first two columns are the x and y functions for the scales for each variable, so the scale for tan a lies along a parabola (x = tan a and y = tan2 a implies that y = x2), and the tan b scale lies on exactly the same curve. The tan (a+b) scale lies on the line y = –1. A straightedge placed across the value of tan a and the value of tan b on the parabola will cross tan (a+b) on the linear scale.
Clark called this a conical nomogram, and its interest lies in the fact that that two of the three scales lie on the same curve, although if f1 and f2 are not the same function the scale labels will be different (and therefore usually printed on opposite sides of the curve). Evesham provides examples for the equation f1 + f2 = f3 and f1f2 = f3 expressed in Clark's form.
Evesham also mentions that a homographic transformation can always transform this parabola into another conic such as a circle. A circle is far easier to draw by hand, and I think it provides a very striking nomogram. For Clark's general determinant equation given above, a circle will result if the elements of the determinant are replaced with these functions:
We can choose the angle α, and in fact this positions the opening of the parabola on the circle. Choosing α= 45° yields the nomogram below, where the opening is at this 45° angle:
Clark then found a way to generalize his equation form and provide a means of getting all three scales to lie along a single curve! Clark deduced that the extraneous factor (f1 – f2) in the determinant for the conical determinant is responsible for aligning two of the three scales (f1 and f2 here) on a common curve, so he searched for a factor that would align all three scales. Consider Equation 1 below for an equation in the general form:
Clark found that the extraneous factor should be (f1 – f2)(f2 – f3)(f3 – f1), and this leads to the determinant equation
It is apparent from the x- and y-elements of each row that the three scales lie along the same curve, although if the functions are not identical the scale divisions will differ.
Now we can rewrite the tangent addition formula as f1f2f3 – (f1 + f2 + f3) = 0 for f1 = tan a, f2 = tan b and f3 = –tan (a+b). Matching terms with the general form above, we find that A = 0, B = –1 and C = 0, so the determinant equation becomes:
Now we can add the first column to the third, divide by the second column, and shift the first column to the third column to get this into standard nomographic form:
For f1 = tan a, the scale curve is given as x = tan a, y = tan a / (tan2 a + 1) and the same for f2 = tan b and f3 = tan (a+b) and we have the remarkable nomogram below for tangent addition, which Clark termed the acnodal form:
In fact, the general equation form breaks into three distinct nomographic curve types that cannot be transformed into each other, represented by the following forms:
We have just seen the general acnodal form. The crunodal form is seen below. This curve is also known as the folium of Descartes. The equation f1f2f3 = 1 corresponds to A = 0, B = 0 and C = –1 in Clark's general equation (1) given above:
The cuspidal form is used for the harmonic relation 1/f3 = 1/f1 + 1/f2. This can be written as 1/f1 + 1/f2 + 1/(–f3) = 0 to get it into the form above. It is not very practical for graphical calculation as seen from the example below for 1/950 + 1/700 = 1/403, but it is a very interesting nomogram nonetheless. The equation 1/f1 + 1/f2 + 1/f3 corresponds to A = 1, B = 0 and C = –f1f2f3 in Clark's general equation (1) given above, because you can rewrite 1/f1 + 1/f2 + 1/f3 as (f1f2f3)–1 (f1f2 + f2f3 + f1f3).
Actually, it's also possible to find a single curve nomogram for f1 + f2 + f3 = 0 as shown below. Another way of looking at this is that the three real roots of a cubic equation ax3 + bx2 + cx + d = 0 sum to –b/a, so a plot of y = x3 marked with its x-values provides a single scale nomogram for addition.
Clark called all of these cubic forms of nomograms because the common curve in each case is given by a third-degree equation.
Evesham concludes his thesis with a discussion of Russian advances in nomography from the 1950s, including the use of oriented transparencies of scales laid across other printed scales as treated by Khovanskii. This type of nomogram can incorporate more variables in a single alignment. He refers to a work by Margoulis that uses oriented transparencies to solve very complicated equations of several variables.
H. A. Evesham's thesis weaves together many threads in the history of nomographic theory. You will find real treasures in this book; the bibliography is valuable for searching out more details. I appreciated the book immensely. It would be difficult to find a place for it in a modern school curriculum, as a knowledge of basic nomography is a practical prerequisite, but Evesham does a great service in making the historical of nomography available to those of us with a special interest in the field of graphical calculation.
Ron Doerfler maintains a blog on technically elegant but nearly forgotten mathematics at http://www.myreckonings.com/wordpress. He lives in Naperville, Illinois, and works as a systems engineer for the Northrop Grumman Corporation. His email address is firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Chapter 1
|The Origins of Geometric Computation
|Chapter 2
|The Development of a Distinct Discipline
|Lalanne and Anamorphosis
|Saint-Robert's Criterion
|The Contribution of Junius Massau
|The First Papers of Maurice d'Ocagne
|Lallemand's Hexagonal Nomogram
|Two Early Attempts to Solve a Problem of Anamorphosis
|D'Ocagne's Nomographie
|The State of Nomography in 1893
|A Theoretical Problem of Alignment Nomograms
|The Lives of Lalanne, Lallemand and d'Ocagne
|The End of the Century
|Chapter 3
|Development in the Early Part of the 20th Century
|D'Ocagne's Traité de Nomographie
|Hilbert's Thirteenth Problem
|The Spread of Nomographic Ideas
|The Contribution of Dr. J. Clark
|Further Theoretical Developments of Alignment Nomograms
|The Period of Consolidation
|Chapter 4
|Anamorphosis and Alignment Nomograms
|The Problem
|Grönwall's Approach
|Kellogg's Approach
|Warmus and Nomographic Functions
|The Practical Approach of Džems-Levi
|Chapter 5
|Later Developments
|Russian Advances
|Theoretical Considerations
|Some Recent Nomograms
|Chapter 6
|Appendix A
|Massau's and Lecornu's Conditions
|Appendix B
|Elements from Kellogg's Work on Anamorphosis
|Appendix C
|Best Functional Scale is Logarithmic
|Appendix D
|Equivalence of Results of Steyskalova and Buck


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The North American Tiddlywinks Association
T i d d l y w i n k s !
Reprinted from Advertising Age, 10 September 1962, page 30
SAN FRANCISCO, - Sept. 4 - Although it (a game? a sport? athletic event?) may never actually replace advertising, Tiddlywinks gained considerable public exposure for Sicks' Rainier Brewing Co., Seattle, as well as a bit of the same for (Don't call us offbeat again) Weiner & Gossage, the Sicks' agency.
The occasion was the formal First Modern Renewal of the Pan-Pacific Tiddlywinks Games, held in the Garden Court of the Palace Hotel here.
The International Match participants, photographers, newsreel men, tv reporters, and agency partners Howard Gossage and Joseph J. Weiner, were all elegantly decked out in full morning dress (draining the stocks of Selix We-Rent-Formal-Wear).
(Editor's note: The invitations, unfortunately, were not engraved; hence ADVERTISING AGE's fashion-aware reporter dressed in charcoal grey and marked the early morning hour by a fresh and dazzling white carnation.)
* Some 200 odd spectators quaffed Rainier liquids as they watched the Tiddlywinks play between a visiting team from Oxford, England, and a U.S. quartet, consisting of jockey and man-about-San-Francisco Billy Pearson; adman Gossage (an expert at Tiddlywinks); Susie Lee; and Enrico Banducci, proprietor of the city's hungry i night club.
The visiting all-British team, according to W & G, represented the Oxford University Tiddlywinks Society, competing for the coveted stuff Kangaroo Trophy. The team was captained by Peter Freeman, 24, of University College. The other players were Elizabeth King, 22, St. Hugh's College; Philip Moore, 21, or Keble College; and David Willis, 22, of Worcester College.
* "San Francisco," Mr. Gossage explained to AA, "is the first city in 600 years to host two consecutive tournaments of this ancient game of Tiddlywinks. The last city to be accorded such distinction was Soochow in 1262 and 1362.
"The Kangaroo Trophy," Mr. Gossage continued, "is awarded to the captain of the winning team who, in a traditional gesture of sportsmanship, then presents it to the captain of the losing team."
Following the Palace Hotel opening games, the visiting Oxford team met all comers in a series of matches played at Mike's Pool Hall. Two other San Francisco teams challenged the Britishers also, one group representing the city's financial district and the other representing Pacific Heights.
* Much of the advertising benefit derived by Rainer came with newsreel and tv coverage of Coach John F. (Old Iron Legs) Stahl, who started the Tiddlywinks tournament off by running down Montgomery St. from the Pan-Pacific Games headquarters (same address as Weiner & Gossage), carrying a "flaming squidger" to the Palace Hotel.
Mr. Stahl recently distinguished himself (and Rainier) and won $1,000 by walking the 1,000 miles (give or take a mile or so) from San Francisco to the Seattle World's Fair (AA, March 12, et seq.).
When Mr. Stahl finally ran, a bit breathless, into the site of the Tiddlywinks games he was wearing a flaming orange Beethoven sweater, thus becoming one of the few present who had not utilized the Selix services.
Printed copies of the Official International Pan-Pacific Rules, in Chinese, with English translation, were available during the tournament.
The British team is touring the U.S. under sponsorship of Guinness Stout and came to the West Coast in response to a challenge from Sicks'.


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What does WEFS stand for?
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Residents in Neath call for "dangerous" trees to be made safe
Posted: March 15, 2014|
CONCERNED Neath residents have called for "dangerous" trees to be made safe before they cause any damage.
Nigel Fullick said they fear that 50 foot high trees behind their Furzeland Drive homes in Bryncoch will damage their property and could even injury someone.
But Mr Fullick, who works at Ford in Bridgend, said unfortunately the trees are protected and cannot be cut down.
"It is woodland which in 2006 was put under a preservation order," he said. "A tree surgeon has come up and they were taking them down but it was put on hold because of the order," he said.
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Mr Fullick said they don't want all the trees taken down but just want some "common sense".
"I don't want to upset anyone," he said. "They just need to be trimmed back, if they just took 10 foot off the tops. A lot of the trees are rotten from the bottom and they are dangerous.
"If they fall down they will come down on our roofs. When there is wind and rain they are very unstable. You can repair property but you repair life."
The council's head of planning Nicola Pearce said: "We are currently in receipt of an application seeking consent to fell a number of trees which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order) on land to the rear of Furzeland Drive.
"The application is currently incomplete as we are awaiting the receipt of additional information including a tree and bat survey.
"The application cannot be registered and subsequently assessed until this information is received.
"However if the trees, as is being claimed, are dangerous and are assessed as such by the council's arboricultural officer, they will not be covered by the Tree Preservation Order and can be felled without consent."


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text:
Posted at: 01/18/2013 5:27 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4
A New Mexico congressman's comments about unemployed people have ignited a firestorm of criticism and approval. Rep. Steve Pearce paid KOB Eyewitness News 4 a visit Friday to talk about it.
In a speech to state lawmakers in Santa Fe Thursday, Pearce said there are unfilled jobs in his district and around the nation because too many unemployed people can't pass a drug test or would rather live on welfare than work.
KOB 4 asked the Republican from Hobbs if the reaction surprised him.
"No, I wasn't exactly surprised," Pearce said. "I'm glad the conversation is going because Americans need to understand that there are people out there who don't want to work."
Pearce questioned the need for creating jobs when there aren't enough people to fill them.
"We've got 4 million jobs that go unfilled right now," Pearce said. "It's not just in New Mexico. I hear employers everywhere, not only in this state as I travel, but outside the state, saying we can't find workers. They do not want to come to work!"
Fred Brink, of Albuquerque looking, said he's looking for job leads at Albuquerque's Workforce Connections office. Brink said he has a master's degree in architecture, but lives in an old bus.
"I would challenge my congressman, or senator, or any government employee that I'll be cleaner on any alcohol test, drug test, urine test, blood test - whatever they want to give me," he said. "I guarantee I'll score higher!"
Gloriana Begay is a military veteran looking for work. She said she would pass a drug test, and thinks Pearce is out of touch.
"I don't think he understands what we're trying to do out here," Begay said. "I don't think he sees it from our side."
Viewers are weighing in on KOB 4's Facebook page.
Forrest writes, "At last one politician has the guts to tell the truth."
Caroline writes, "Same old republican line - Steve Pearce doesn't want to help anyone."
Rufus says, "Rep. Pearce has an excellent idea."
That idea is Pearce's proposal to start requiring drug tests for people on welfare.


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The writers' strike became a welcome blessing for the show, which had seriously derailed before its hiatus; during the strike, creator Shonda Rimes has said she reexamined the direction of the show, making for an ultimately satisfying second half of the season. Standout episodes include "Forever Young," in which a high school bus crash leaves the staff pontificating their own adolescent cliques; "Lay Your Hands on Me," with a standout performance by Chandra Wilson as Bailey, whose crumbling marriage comes front and center when her toddler gets in an accident; and the season finale "Freedom," in which Meredith and Derek save two brain-tumor patients in love (Jurnee Smollett and Marshall Allman), leading to their own (lasting?) reunion, Bailey heads up an effort to rescue a guy who lay in concrete to impress a girl; and Callie finds herself attracted to the new cardiac surgeon, Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith). Bonus features include "New Docs on the Block," a look at the latest members of the cast; a set tour with Dempsey and Eric "McSteamy" Dane; bonus and extended scenes; and outtakes. --Ellen A. Kim


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Prior to First Day of Class
Welcome to the Masters in Transformative Leadership.
New student orientation for the summer session will be held on May 18, 2015 from 7-8 pm. For new students, please review the information presented on this page, and complete the steps included below to ensure you are ready for on-line work!
Step One - Register for courses:
Lead 601-Leadership Theory, Principles and Practices
Lead 605-Critical Reflection & Transformative Leadership
Lead 613-Ethical Decision Making
Use this link to learn how to register:
Step Two - Order necessary textbooks:
BCU Book Store link to order textbooks online
Step Three- Review the following to become familiary with the online course delievery system (also used for new student orientation sessions):
Blackboard Information
The MSTL program uses BCU's Blackboard Learning Management System to deliver online courses. The directions below provide you information on how to log onto Blackboard and links to tutorials to help you navigate in Blackboard.
To access Blackboard
a. Go to www.cookman.edu
b. Click on the tab on the right side of the screen labeled "Bb" (Blackboard).
c. The next screen will require you to enter your Blackboard Username and Password.
Blackboard Username and Password (provided in your admission letter). Please contact CIT helpdesk at www.cookman.edu/cit/usersptserv/helpdesk.html if you have any problems with your username or password.
Username: lead-in zeros and your Wildcat Web ID, in total of 9 digits (e.g., 000032145 or 000463217)
Password: your Wildcat web PIN
c. The next screen will provide you a link to all courses that you are currently enrolled in. Click on a course to go to that course.
Step Four - Complete Blackboard familiarization: This must be completed prior to the new student orientation session which will be on May 18th from 7-8 PM.
Watch the short video tutorials available here:
Step Five - Learning how to use a Blackboard tool called Collaborate, the tool used to meet on-line:
The MSTL Program uses Blackboard Collaborate for Virtual Classes. Below is the link to an Orientation to Blackboard Collaborate tool and a practice link to join a session and setup your audio and video. In order to receive participation credit for these sessions in your course, you must have both audio and video.
Link to Orientation to Blackboard Collaborate tool:
Please click on this link and complete all 4 steps listed below - http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&task=knowledge&questionID=1473
First, check your System Requirements
Second, test Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing in the Configuration Room by scrolling to step 2 on the webpage.
Third, access Training resources
Fourth, learn more about Blackboard Collaborate
Step Six - Gaining remote access to the BCU library:
Please click on the link below to learn about the library resources and how to use the library as an online student.