Yesterday I put another thermometer beside my home weather station’s. In midafternoon it recorded a temperature of 104 degrees F, hours after my weather station clocked 110.7 F. As I said, I think my station’s temperatures run a bit hot, but they aren’t too far off the mark. I think the other thermometer proves my theory that this location is simply hotter than RDU airport.
Green
Environmentally friendly, green ways of living
There are 363 posts filed in Green (this is page 35 of 37).
MT.Net Sets New High Temperature Record
My home weather station set a new high temperature record today, showing 110.7 degrees F at 1PM today. The previous high was 104, so this is quite hotter. Granted, my temperatures are a little skewed since the thermometer is close to our brick foundation on the southern side of the house (though it is shaded), but they aren’t much skewed. I just think the area we’re in is hotter in general than the airport (though surely not by 11 degrees).
Meanwhile out in the San Juan Islands, the folks out there are sweating through their flannel as the temperatures top out at 57 degrees F. I feel for ’em, you know? It’s hard out there for an islander.
Whale of a Watch
I found a local paper’s report about the latest orca sighting on Friday. Looks like we missed a doozie.
The ranger we spoke with today told me there is a service that will page you when the whales are coming. They charge “big bucks” for that service, though. I’m sure the captains of the whale watch boats all subscribe to it.
I think we’ll have to wait until next time to see the orcas.
Ebola: Now Available Locally
I once read a book called The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, a true story of an Ebola outbreak in Northern Virginia in 1989. I think its one of the most terrifying books I’ve ever read, particularly since I lived nearby around that time. So maybe I’m just being overly paranoid, but I’m not too keen about our government’s potential plans to set up a bioweapons lab in Butner. The NBAF would be playing with fun stuff like anthrax, Ebola, avian flu, and other deadly pathogens right on our doorstep.
The Butner facility is being deemed a replacement for the aging Plum Island facility in Long Island, NY. Plum Island has generated a lot of attention with books like these, detailing alleged safety violations at the bioweapons facility.
Hey, I like job growth as much as anyone. I just don’t like the potential of infecting the local population with some plague in order to get it. I’m thinking the NBAF is one Yankee transplant to which we can say “no, thanks.”
The Pool Is Open
I’ve been enjoying the constant stream of birds who’ve visited the makeshift birdbath on our back porch. Usually squirrels are its main visitors. I suppose the drought conditions have made the birds a little thirstier than usual.
My favorite guests have been the Carolina Wrens. These birds are so frenetic! Watching one take a bath was like watching a blender! I was cracking up.
On a related note, why is the state bird of North Carolina the Northern Cardinal? Why not the Carolina Wren? Cardinals are fine birds and all, but they’re found all over, while Carolina Wrens stay close to NC. They’re also more fun to watch.
Water Restrictions
Raleigh’s water restrictions go into effect today. If you’ve got an odd-numbered address you can water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If you’re even, you water Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Monday is the day of waterly rest.
Seeing how these restrictions apply to all the other municipalities that are on Raleigh’s water system, I’ve often wondered how enforcement works. Continue reading
The Revenge Of The Dead Mice
No, I’m not talking about the bizarre “martyred” Palestinian TV show mouse, but the mice in my garage. You see, for a long while now we’ve had mice living in our garage. I think it corresponds to the time I first put up a bird feeder in the backyard.
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Florida Fires Find Formidable Foe In Family
My cousin Dave Turner loves his job with the Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. His usual duties involve chasing down wandering gators and bears, believe it or not. Dave’s droll sense of humor usually earns him lots of airtime after the critter emergency is over.
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Yikes! An Acid Spill Near Our Home
The nearby Mallinckrodt plant had a sulfuric acid spill this morning, prompting police to advise residents within a half-mile radius to stay indoors this afternoon. The fear was that rain would react with the acid (which it does violently, apparently), causing toxic fumes. We’re about a mile away, but that is still a little too close for comfort.
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Finger-eating Fan Pronounced Dead
One of the things I did on my get-stuff-done morning was retrieve the killer nonworking gable fan from the attic. After rigging up a plug and giving it juice, I determined the thermal safety breaker has tripped. The thermal breaker is a non-replaceable part which, when activated, turns the motor into a unique doorstop or lively conversation piece.
I’m still thinking it might be worth $50 to put up another fan. It gets to 130 degrees F up there, which makes the air conditioner work harder. The ideal solution would be to put in a radiant barrier but I think that would run $300 or more with the space I’d have to cover (~$.50 psf, if i recall). Maybe I’ll consider that in the fall (when it will also help with heating).
Why didn’t I get a degree in thermodynamics? Or curmudgeonry?