Houston Street Viaduct

The cyclists are traveling about 15 mph (not fast). Notice how the overtaking vehicles pull out to pass them well in advance of overtaking them. That’s because the cyclists are “controlling” their lane. Works that way all the time.

If the cyclists had been riding to the far right of the lane (as many people mistakenly believe they should), the motorists would have attempted to pass them without changing lanes, creating a dangerous situation.

This was videoed by Brian DeSousa of Dual-Chase Productions. The cyclists are Herman May and Richard Wharton.

Water and oxygen.

Water and oxygen are the two primary requirements for life. I can survive a long time without food (relatively), but only a few days without water. I can't last even a few minutes without oxygen.

If the oxygen trapped in my body was to spontaneously combust, and consume the water in my body, I'd be reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes.

You too.

The late, self-proclaimed atheist, Carl Sagan, used to like to say that "We are made of star dust", referring to the organic elements of carbon-based nature being the results of stellar explosions (Dr. Sagan wasn't really an atheist... he worshiped the god "Chance", and its servant, "Science"). Dust to dust. Made from dust, and returned to dust. Ashes to ashes.

We are made of star ash.

"Plutoed"

The verb "to pluto" (preterite and past participle: "plutoed") is a neologism coined in the aftermath of the decision (to downgrade Pluto from planet designation to that of "large space rock").

In January 2007, the American Dialect Society chose "plutoed" as its 2006 Word of the Year, defining "to pluto" as "to demote or devalue someone or something", "as happened to the former planet Pluto when the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union decided Pluto no longer met its definition of a planet."

--Wikipedia

The Bee Mine

There once was a man who set off in pursuit of gold. He wanted to be the richest man in the world. He was gone a long time.

On his search for wealth, he dug into the ground. He dug deep. Deeper. He dug deep, dark holes in search of the cold metal that would give him his fortune.

One day he returned. “Eureka!” he exclaimed to his friends and family. “I’ve found all the riches of the world! I’m the richest man alive!”

But his friends looked at him, and puzzled. He didn’t have any gold, but he was covered in sticky, golden honey, from his head to his feet.

“That’s not gold” his friends said to him, “that’s just sticky honey.” “Yes,” he exclaimed, “it’s honey from the rock!” For in his search, he came upon the greatest source of true wealth... sweet, sticky love that clings to and flavors everything. He found the honey mine.

Advancing to the rear.

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”

-- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Bennette Smith

Bennette Barbara Smith of Dallas, went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2009 at the age of 65. Bennette boldly fought illness and disease for the past several years and her courage continues to be an inspiration to her family. Bennette was a long time member and supporter of the arts and lived a life full of culture and travel. Her strong faith, gentle spirit and amazing wit will be remembered most by those who loved her. Services were held Friday, February 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross in Dallas.

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "Saint Patrick's Breastplate" were sung with both conviction and moist eyes.

A David Prayer

Psalm 70

God! Please hurry to my rescue! God, come quickly to my side!
Those who are out to get me—
let them fall all over themselves.
Those who relish my downfall—
send them down a blind alley.
Give them a taste of their own medicine,
those gossips off clucking their tongues.

Let those on the hunt for you
sing and celebrate.
Let all who love your saving way
say over and over, "God is mighty!"

But I've lost it. I'm wasted.
God—quickly, quickly!
Quick to my side, quick to my rescue!
God, don't lose a minute.

- The Message

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

Psalm 70

Be pleased, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt!
Let them be appalled because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"
May all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee!
May those who love thy salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
Thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not tarry!

- The Revised Standard Version