04.26.06

Never Met A Stranger

Posted in amusements, friends and family at 3:30 pm by spryken

Slee accuses me of knowing everybody. Or at least someone every where we go. I’m not just talking about around town. It seems every where we go, I see someone I know.

The most recent time was our last weekend away. We pack up the boys and drive to New Bern, NC. I have never been there. Never!!

We visited the original State Capital and the Tyron Palace. We learn a lot about North Carolina history that I didn’t know. And I am a native. It is the last night and we are going out to eat. We get to the restaurant and of course there is a wait. So we are waiting outside, I look up and say “You’re not going to believe this”. Walking up the street to the same restaurant is a co-worker and his wife. I had no idea they were going to New Bern. They just decided to get away.

As we were packing the car to leave, I struck up a conversation with a older man. He had looked familiar. Turns out, he knew my father from High School from back in China Grove/Landis/Kannapolis. That’s 2 in one trip!!

What does all of that have to do with the Title of this post, you may ask. Well, nothing really. But at lunch today, I was in a local fast food restaurant. I had to change tables due to some cramped seating. I spoke to the older couple sitting beside me, explaining why I sat down and immediately got up to move.

They then struck up a conversation. We had a pleasant chat, just like old friends. I found out that he was her boyfriend. Not only that her first boyfriend. They had lost touch for 50 years. And since her husband died, they re-met and have been together for 10 years.

We had a very nice conversation. Being open to such chance meetings brightens my life. I hope I brought as much joy to their lunch, as they did to mine.

Maybe this is why I always know someone every where I go. Or at least seem to know someone. I learned this from my dad, or inherited it, not sure which. I just am open to talk with people I chance to meet.

04.25.06

Environmental Science - Class 1 Resources

Posted in BoyScouts at 1:40 pm by spryken

Environmental Science Merit Badge

Remember to print out and bring your Environmental Science Merit Badge Work Sheet. You will also need pencil/pen and paper. We will have to keep a journal of observations and you will have to take some notes.

Requirement 1: Timeline of Environmental Science in America with contributions by the Boy Scouts.

Requirement 2: Use a good dictionary or Wikipedia.

Requirement 5: Environmental Impact Statement. Ohio State University provides a fact sheet on Environmental Impact Statements.

Environmental Science MB Schedule

Posted in BoyScouts at 1:29 pm by spryken

Environmental Science Merit Badge

Here is the schedule and agenda for the meetings:

May 10th

  • Requirement 1 - Timeline of environmental science
  • Requirement 2 - Definitions
  • Requirement 4 - We will be doing (B). We will choose 2 study plots, mark them and make our first observations.
  • Requirement 5 - Discuss Environmental Impact Statements - homework, create an Environmental Impact Statement

May 17th

  • Requirement 3 (A) - Greenhouse effect experiment
  • Requirement 4 - continued, we will make our second observation
  • Requirement 3 (F) - discuss pollution prevention, resource recovery, and conservation - homework pick 2 ways of preventing pollution that we discussed and practice for 1 week at home

May 24th

  • Requirement 3 (B) - Air Particulate experiment
  • Requirement 3 (C) - Discuss Water Pollution - Homework, write a 100 word report on how the discussed pollutant affects aquatic life, what the effect was and whether the effect is linked to biomagnification
  • Requirement 6 - discuss career opportunities in environmental science.

May 31st

  • Requirement 3 (E) - Discuss Endangered Species - homework, write a 100 word report on an endangered species found in NC, include what is being done to protect it and how many are left in the wild. Include a drawing.
  • Requirement 4 - continued, last observation trip - homework, write a short report on your journal of observations

June 7th

  • Requirement 3 (D) - Soil Erosion experiment, make a poster illustrating the experiment
  • Wrap up all homework

04.21.06

Philmont and Test Image

Posted in BoyScouts, addictions, friends and family at 11:09 am by spryken

Ok, I had to get in that Matt and I went to Philmont last year. And since I wanted to test posting a image file, I thought this would be the time.

Ken and Matt on Baldy

It was truly a great trip. If you get a chance….GO!!

Environmental Science Merit Badge

Posted in BoyScouts at 10:58 am by spryken

Environmental Science Merit Badge

I am starting a class for the Environmental Science Merit Badge for my Boy Scout Troop.

I will post my agenda here, as I get it prepared. Also, there will be some class notes. Until then, here is the Environmental Science Merit Badge Work Sheet we will be using.

« Previous entries