Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist
Combining Science and Joyful Creativity
There are many misconceptions about geological concepts. There is a list of these misconceptions here, developed by Kent Kirby of the University of Minnesota.
As I read through the list, I realized that almost all of them are concepts addressed in the first semester of an introductory geology class. Since I teach an introductory geology class, I thought I might go ahead and address these misconceptions. Continue reading “Common Misconceptions about Geology”
The backpack must have weighed 100 pounds by the time I had it full of all the things I thought I’d need or want. Medicines, snacks, clothes, a pillow and blanket. And then the tools, and the night-vision goggles, and lastly, the rifle.Continue reading “Stink Bug – Chapter 25”
There are many misconceptions about geological concepts. There is a list here, developed by Kent Kirby of the University of Minnesota. This post is to debunk one of those misconceptions. There will be others. Find them here.
Misconception: Crust and Lithosphere (or plates) are synonymous termsContinue reading “Misconception – Crust and Lithosphere are the Same Thing”
Friday Headlines, September 20, 2013
THE LATEST IN THE GEOSCIENCES
Today’s round-up:
The biggest volcano on Earth!
A mantle hotspot could explain the New Madrid seismic zone.
Nanotyrannus might just be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.Continue reading “Friday Headlines: 9-20-13”
He was raised in a single-wide trailer deep in Appalachia by his mother, a single mom. His father is the quintessential deadbeat dad, who walked out when Matty was 9. That night, his father had come home drunk and proceeded to beat the stuffing out of his mother. Matt jumped in to defend his mom and ultimately had to pull a gun on his dad to get him to leave. His dad never came back.
Matt knew there was more to life than this stupid podunk little town of 1500. He had watched enough television to know that if he could just get to the city, he would have it all. He’d dropped out of school at 17, just six months before he should have graduated. But his mom needed him, and at 20 he still lived in that single-wide.
Only nine months ago, his mother had suddenly died. An aneurism took her and left Matt with nothing, except for that crummy old single-wide trailer.
With no cash and no real prospects, he tossed a few things in his beat up truck, gathered his dog, Bo, and started to leave. Then all hell broke loose.
These two cats are not brothers. One was born in Florida. The other ‘came with our house’ when we moved to New York.
Yet they do this:
I hope this raises a smile.
Bruno is a chick. He was hatched last Thursday. We actually don’t know if it’s a boy or not, but I’m going to refer to him as a ‘him’ for the sake of this story.
This story is true.Continue reading “The Tale of Bruno”
Here’s something you might not have known: All rain is acid. I mean, assuming it’s passing through our atmosphere somewhere – polluted or not. Continue reading “Acid Rain”
Sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself. Why do I try to write novels, sew period costumes, learn the sword, and all that other crazy stuff that I do? Why do I work myself into a frenzy trying to get all these things done? Why don’t I just go to work, do my job, then go home and watch the news like everyone else?Continue reading “Bored… Or Worse: Boring”
I was almost to my cube when Melodie caught me in the hall. “Roger’s pissed. What did you do?” When I said nothing, she went on, “How’d the presentation go?” She giggled. “Nate?”
“I really need night vision goggles.” I turned and walked out the front door.
“Nate?” I heard as the door closed. I kept going.Continue reading “Stink Bug – Chapter 24”
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist