The HotDog Fairy

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This elusive Fairy came to life during the PAX event (Penny Arcade Expo) in Seattle. PAX is a gaming convention of sorts. PAX events are now being held in other cities in the U.S. 

Early drawing of a Hotdog Fairy
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And what does the Hotdog Fairy do, you ask? Good question! No one knows for sure. Some say that if you place a piece of hot dog in the dirty laundry on a new moon that the Hotdog Fairy will come to visit. Others say the hotdog must be placed under one's pillow. Regardless, I think the little guy needs some mustard.....

Weird Wednesday ~ Dog Poop and Magnetism

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Researchers from the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague recently spent a two year period observing 70 canines while they 'did their business'. After watching 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations, the researchers came to the conclusion that dogs prefer to do their No.2s along the North-South axis under calm magnetic conditions. When the magnetic field was in flux, any directional behavior by the canine was absent. 

This would explain why sometimes it takes forever for your Pooch to find just the right spot to relieve himself.

The results of this study prove that magnetic fields can impact animal behavior causing scientist to take the magnetic field into consideration when performing experiments. Biologists and Physicians will also have to consider the effects of magnetic storms and magnetic fluctuations on living organisms.

Read the whole article Here!

Cat Tales ~ 2014 Catdance Film Festival

It is once again time for the annual Catdance Film Festival - celebrating the best in Cat Cinema.

This year there are 5 shorts, each with a most unique tail tale. There was no one favorite in Mes household. Me liked The Inheritance. Me thought it was funny! Mommy liked Ricky. Mommy said it was so sweet. Whichever one you like, be sure to vote! 

Click Here to go to the 2014 Catdance Film Festival finalists!

Purz and Catnip Dreams.......Gomez

Nature Reimagined

The Art of Jason Middlebrook

Tile Mosaic in NYC Subway

Underlife Sculpture

Keeping myself out of trouble

It's been almost 6 months since we moved to our new hometown and the little urban cottage in whence we reside. Time has truly flown by.  And grass has not grow under my feet. (giggle Not too hard since it is January!)  I am slowly working my way through the mountain of boxes filled with the stuff I had packed up more than two years ago. I am hoping to have tackled the mountain completely by the time Spring arrives. I am so tired of 'stuff' monopolizing my time! And space!

I have been busy in the creative department. I recently took two Snow Faeries to the gift shop in Cripple Creek. One of them insisted on 'riding shotgun' - even though she flew the whole way!

The other Faery was content to sit on her stool and contemplate her sculpture. She is getting ready for the upcoming Cripple Creek Ice Festival. Didn't take her long to find her way to the front window.

Giant Maple Leaf - O, Canada!

Gunnera Leaf

My love of trees helped me get another gig. I answered an ad on Craig's List for a Leaf Maker. I made a couple of extremely large leaves - 3 feet across.  The leaves were used to make molds for birdbaths and stepping stones.

Gunnera Leaf Birdbath

And a few more irons have been thrown into the proverbial fire. I'll be sure to give you up-dates as the irons heat up. 

Samurai Cats & Mice

The Art of Jeff De Boer

***This post is dedicated to HRH over at the blog, She Who Seeks***

May She have many adventures in Summerland!

Weird Wednesday ~ Levitation Using Sound

Scientists are now able to levitate, and move!, minute particles using ultrasonic sound waves. Click Here to read more!

Could this be the way gigantic stones were moved in ancient times? Could this be how the Coral Castle in Florida was built?

 

Cat Tales ~ Early Domestication of Humans

Mommy read Me a story off the Interwebs the other day. It was about the early domestication of humans by felines in China. Of course the article wasn't written that way. The article said that Cats had been domesticated by peoples. But We all know Who Domesticated Who!

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New evidence has surfaced showing that Cats in China were possibly domesticated as far back as 5,300 years ago. Over 3,000 years earlier than originally thought. The bones found were the size of modern day house cats and smaller than the wildcats of the region. Scientists did tests on the feline bones and found that one of the cats ate food high in agricultural content - like the food people eat. {Or the nasty cheap cat food that Daddy sometimes gets when Mommy sends him to the grocery store - Me gets even with Daddy when he does that by laying smack in the middle of his favorite spot on the couch! Daddy then bribes me with Catnip so I'll move}
A jaw bone had well worn teeth which indicates death at a ripe old age. Something that couldn't have been achieved without a warm safe place to sleep and food to eat. 

Yes, domesticating humans was a good thing.

 Click Here to read more!

Purz and Catnip Dreams .......Gomez

The Art of Carving a Tree

Wood Carving by Zheng Chunhui
This carving took 4 years to complete and is 40ft long! It is based on a 12th century painting.
Click Here for more Pics!

It all started with the Tree below ~

Roadtrip ~ Christmas at Miramont Castle

Back before the Holidays, Hubby & I took an impromptu roadtrip to see Miramont Castle. If you'll remember, I wrote about it here, Click Here!

This time, we wanted to see the Castle in the daylight. We invited a friend (and a Candy Corn Chronicles blog follower) to go with us. We had a good time and it was grand seeing the old building dressed up in her holiday finery.

Front Entry

Front Entry window

Fireplace in Parlor

Other Side of Parlor

Chapel

Atrium

Miramont Castle seen from the Garden

Weird Wednesday ~ That "Gut Feeling"....

You are what you eat.

This phrase may hold more truth than you realize!

Studies have now shown that the bacteria and microbes present in the digestive system can influence the brain and its function. Different species of bacteria influence the brain in different ways - causing anxiety, aggression, shyness, or passivity (to name a few of the emotions influenced). Altering what is eaten, introducing probiotics or taking antibiotics can change behaviors and/or emotions.
Scientists are still studying how the microbes and the brain communicate but they believe the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, as the route of communication. 

To Read more, Click Here!  Or Click Here!  Or Click Here!

Fun with S*N*O*W

Your Wildest Dreams.....

The Art of Courtney Brims