No running water

The water pump broke the other night.

To make matters worse, the outhouse was out of order as well.

I suggested that Sue could tell people she visited her in-laws in northern Wisconsin, and they had no running water. (Omitting the fact that the pump was fixed the next morning, so it was only about 12 hours or so without running water).

Dad and I dissembled the old pump to see what it looked like (During the previous weeks, there had been bits of plastic coming through the water system that indicated the pump was failing.)

Some pictures of the impellers inside the pump. The side view is from one that broke while taking the pump apart. Finally, a chipped impeller that is likely the source of the problem.

Putting Maria to work

I haven't been the only one put to work on the farm. Here's Maria carrying a bucket after feeding the calves.

Visiting the farm

We're visiting the farm this week (Grandma and Grandpa are very excited to have Maria around) One of my father's favorite phrases has been "reconnect me with my roots". So far, this reconnecting has involved unloading hay, raking hay, and baling hay. And that's just the first day. My "pansy programmer hands" (my phrase, not his) are sore today.

But it hasn't been all work. Here's a picture of Maria with Grandpa and Uncle Chip. Sue was bothered that I kept calling the dog "uncle", until she realized (and pointed out with relish) that he's on my side of the family.

Life goals and lolcats

I have a new life goal (note, that's "a", as in "one of many", not "the central organizing principle") - to get a lolcat picture on the front page of icanhascheezburger.com.

Here's the first couple of attempts. Clicking on the picture will take you to a page that lets you comment and rate the image.

moar funny pictures

Remodeling the bathroom

We're remodeling one of the bathrooms in our house. Workers are coming tomorrow to put new tile on the floor (One lesson from the last tiling project - hire someone to do it)

Yesterday, we removed the old toilet, sink and vanity. If you remember the hot tub, you should see what's coming next.

Yes, that's right ... bathroom set on blocks in the yard!

Hairstyles of the young and cute

Maria's hair has been getting longer and was hanging down into her eyes. The following conversion ensued:

Mark: Why don't we cut it?
Sue: Then she'll have a mullet
Mark: <silence>

What could I say? Sue had played the trump card, the nuclear option of hairstyle arguments. There was no responding.

(Although in reality, I probably made some smart-alec comment like "What's wrong with a mullet?)

Sue's solution is a tuft on top, fastened with a teensy-tiny rubber band. It's reminiscent of Pebbles (from the Flintstones).

The Selfish Gene

I recently read "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins. It's a look at evolution from the perspective of the gene as the unit of replication and natural selection (rather than treating the individual organism as the fundamental unit).

Near the beginning of the book, there is this statement discussing possible moral take-aways of the book:

I am not advocating a morality based on evolution. I am saying how things evolved. I am not saying how we humans morally ought to behave. [...] My own feeling is that a human society based simply on the gene's law of universal ruthless selfishness would be a very nasty society in which to live.

And he goes on to emphasize that in building a society we wish to live in, we must teach the desired traits (generosity, altruism, etc.), since they will not be hard-wired by biology.

This is an example of an appropriate attitude towards evolution. Christians ought to learn from this atheist. Unfortunately, many easily-heard voices in the evangelical Christian community proclaim the "evils" of evolution and attack the science. This leads to a number of problems:

1. It wastes energy and resources tackling the wrong challenge. The real challenge is working out an understanding of what the general revelation of science tells us about the nature of God.
2. The Christian community (needlessly) appears backwards in it's views on science
3. It creates unnecessary barriers to belief (and offers good reasons to dis-believe.)

In a future post I will discuss why there is resistance to this viewpoint among evangelical Christians.

Sights on the return trip

At a rest stop in Virginia, there was this helpful section for the pets:

Also in Virginia, there was a set of old buildings next to the gas station. From this angle, it looks like a dire warning should one decide to go past the church.

But, it turns out to only be an old gas station.

Eating ice cream again

We returned once again to our favorite ice cream place (for the final time this trip. Sigh. We're leaving Saturday morning.) Sue tried a milder flavor (strawberry) and a new feeding technique (use the tasting stick to feed small bites so the cold doesn't overwhelm her), and it appeared to work. Maria ate some ice cream, and she liked it!

Maria walking with one hand now

The last few days, Maria has been making make progress in walking - she's only using one hand now.

Yes, I know, most people walk on their feet. And so does Maria. But she also needs extra support by holding onto other people as she walks. Previously she needed support from both hands, but recently she's been doing well holding on with just one hand.

Fresh salsa

Sue made some yummy fresh salsa, and I had some time to play with the macro lens.

Future physicist apparel

Maria's aunt Monica gave her a physics-themed shirt. Here she is modeling it, with a Physics Today for extra authenticity.

Sunrise over the Atlantic

As a consolation for Maria waking up too early, I did get a picture of a nice sunrise.

A now a word from our sponsors

When it's time for a snack, reach for Goldfish crackers...

And now our spokesbaby will show where to put the crackers.

Maria playing on the beach

Along with playing in the water at the beach at Jockey's Ridge, Maria played in the dry sand. A small drama ensued.

Act I: Situation normal. Playing in the sand.

Act II
Limb check: Right arm present and accounted for.

Left hand present and accounted for.

Legs. MISSING!!! Raise the alarm!

Act IV: Contact with legs reacquired. Everything restored to situation normal.

Maria with some guy in a goofy hat

Here's Maria at a sound-side beach, where the waves are much smaller and the water warmer. There's some strange guy in a goofy hat behind her. Don't know where he came from, or how he wound up in the picture.

Longing for the sea

Reading material for former presidents

While walking, we saw this sign with three names on it. But it sure looks like a commentary (or a suggestion) on the reading material of former presidents.

Where we travel to North Carolina and get lost in the desert

History repeats itself - previously we got lost in the deserts of Michigan. It happened again, only this time it was in North Carolina.

Though the people in the picture seems awfully happy for being lost in the desert.

Maria eats ice cream

We walked to an ice cream shop and gave Maria her first taste of ice cream.

But first, her picture with a pirate outside the shop.

The ice cream is mandarin chocolate chip (the orange and chocolate flavor together is very yummy)

The first bite looks good

The second bite receives a different reaction. Perhaps it's too cold.