Giving Thanks For The Cranberry

It's a little early to be thinking about Thanksgiving dinner (maybe) but I was for some reason. One of the traditional staples of the dinner menu to accompany the turkey in many homes is cranberries.

Lo and behold there is a site dedicated to this fruit. Click here for all you need (or want) to know about the mighty cranberry!

Just Two More Weeks

I pretty much steer clear of politics on this site, but I will put a plug in for the Online Newshour (with Jim Lehrer) site that's dedicated to the upcoming mid-term election.

They've called it Vote 2006 and the site presents many of the issues and races of regional and national interest in a straightforward way including as many points of view as possible.

We are entering the final phase of this campaign and, boy, is there a lot going on!!

Undersea Wonders

Undersea vents, and the rich variety of sea life that those vents sustain, is the subject of this website put up by the National Science Foundation.

This offers undersea views and interactive tools that lets you get an up-close (though virtual) look at a world that few of us will ever likely actually visit.

Click here to be taken there!

Web 2.0? What Does That Mean?

Though no expert myself, there seems to be much discussion and a great deal written about Internet use given the umbrella designation: Web 2.0.

The Pew Institute has done a series of studies about the Internet and future use. Click here to view a recent report about this direction an apparently growing number of people see the 'net going in. (The report is available for download as a .pdf.)

300 Million And Counting

Much has been made leading up to today as our country has apparently reached the 300 millionth citizen. Supposedly this landmark event took place today at 7:46 a.m. (Eastern).

The Census Bureau has prepared a special page to mark this occasion. It takes a snapshot of normal "facts" of American life in 1915, 1967, and 2006, these being the years when the U.S. reached 100 million, 200 million, and, now, 300 million citizens.

Click here to check out what some common aspects of American life was like then and now.

Elections In The USA

Just over three weeks from now, our country is going to go through another election cycle...in this case, an "off year" national election. No presidential race, but all the House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate. There are, also, a number of local races, initiatives, and bond issues.

The Library of Congress has a set of resources that highlight the American electoral process. Click here to visit this excellent site (labeled as Teacher Resources, but there's lots here for teachers and non-teachers alike!)

Supremely Interesting Cases

This current session of the United States Supreme Court began early this month. It is difficult, sometimes, to understand the impact decision made by this body have on the day-to-day life of us in the United States.

Two organizatoins, Stree Law & the Supreme Court Historical Society, have put together a site dedicated to the landmark cases that have, in our history, made a mark on our society.

A site well-worth visiting.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Cooking With What You Got

Thanks to the imagination of Tom Tuke-Hastings, there's a website that helps all those who cook come up with recipes in that particular condition cooks everywhere now: I didn't have time to get to the store....what can I cook?

His site, CookByNumbers.com, lets you check off the items you have left in your fridge and in your cupboard. Once you indicate the stuff you have around, you click a button "Find Recipes" and up will come a list of recipes using as many of the items you have lying around. Cool!

Give it a try! There were a lot of recipes for things that never occurred to me that I would be able to put together from what I had in the house. Like I said.....cool!

The List of the Longest of Just About Everything

This site dedicates itself to producing evidence of the longest item in many categories: song, building (could also be classified as the tallest), conga line, eyelashes, hammock, last name, NBA game, neck, ski jump, URL, Yo-Yo spin, zucchini, and many others.

If you want to check out the interesting and.....bizarre!.....go to:

The Longest List of the Longest Stuff at the Longest Domain Name

You won't be disappointed!

Free Reading and Definition

If you've ever got a word you forgot to spell -- or have some free time for reading and you're online, too -- check out one or both of the following.

The Free Dictionary

The Free Library

Lots, lots, and lots more there!

Our Constitution -- What Does It Mean?

There are times when I wonder if we, as a society, spend enough time pondering things that we take for granted. Like what? Well, I think we Americans talk a lot about our freedoms and the rights we have in this country, but I don't think we spend enough time looking at the Constitution itself, read its language, and think about what it means and why it's in there at all. Why did the Founders think those principles were important enough to be in that document.

The American Bar Association has a site to promote just this kind of analysis and reflection. Called Conversations On The Constitution, this is a site that provides plenty of concepts and principles to discuss. There are interactive pages that "test" your knowledge of this crucially important document.

I hope to be spending much more time there.

News To Wake Up To

If you've ever wondered about the caffeine content of some of your favorite brews (tea, coffee) or soft drinks, check out this site courtesy of the Mayo Clinic. It lists a set of common beverages that many consume, yet we/they may not know how much caffeine your downing.

Click here to find out!

Music From All Over The World

Wesleyan University offers this site where you can see and hear instruments from all over the world. Offered by region or by instrument type or by material they're made from, this is a terrific place to plunge into the wide, wide world of world music.

Click here to check out the Virtual Instrument Museum.

Traveling Nightmare -- Airport Division

I don't travel that much but I was intrigued by this site: The Budget Traveler's Guide to Sleeping in Airports.

As a concept, the whole idea seems like torture, surely banned by the Geneva Convention. But take a look at the ratings and where the airport near you -- or the one(s) you're going to be traveling to -- compare. Naturally there are tips for where you'll get the best chances for shut-eye.

Good luck!

Automobile Longevity

As the owner of a car with (real) miles now approaching the 150,000 mark, I hope I qualify as someone who understands the value of proactive car repair and maintenance.

For those who have yet to learn the advantages (and virtues) of taking care of those wheels so that don't fail you at the worst possible inconvenient hassle-inducing moment, take a moment and visit CarCare.org.

Who knows? Not only might it save you money, but a lot of time, anxiety, and money (to pay for the anger-management sessions).