The Moon At Perigee

Tucson Weather Today

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Perigee is the point at which an orbiting object makes its closest approach to the Earth.

Last night I stepped out onto my front porch to get a picture of the moon that was supposed to appear unusually large on this date. I got four shots and the one below with the moon just rising above the roof of a three story apartment building, was the best of them.

Didn't look any bigger than usual to me.

Sure didn't look like this one below . . .

  contributed to and published in an online magazine.

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WORDS FOR TODAY

numeracy
noun
The ability to understand and work with numbers.

According to Wikipedia:

Numeracy is defined as the ability to reason and to apply simple numerical concepts.[1] Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, if one can understand simple mathematical equations such as, 2 + 2 = 4, then one would be considered possessing at least ample numeric knowledge.

There seems to be a relationship between literacy and numeracy, which can be seen in young children. Depending on the level of literacy or numeracy at a young age, one can predict the growth of literacy and/ or numeracy skills in future development. There is some evidence that humans may have an inborn sense of number. In one study for example, five-month-old infants were shown two dolls, which were then hidden with a screen. The babies saw the experimenter pull one doll from behind the screen. Without the child's knowledge, a second experimenter could remove, or add dolls, unseen behind the screen. When the screen was removed, the infants showed more surprise at an unexpected number (for example, if there were still two dolls). Some researchers have concluded that the babies were able to count, although others doubt this and claim the infants noticed surface area rather than number.

Throughout most of my adult lifetime numeracy has been my weakness. Numbers and their manipulation were skills I could master (to a limited extent) but only for a short time and only if goaded into that semi-mastery for a specific and necessary usage; I did not completely understand the basic reasoning behind the mathematical process.

In High School, back in the 1950s, I could study the process of how to use an equation to solve a problem but only after hours and hours of diligent practice, but I would lose that ability unless I continued 'using' it over and over again. Later, in Technical School, it was the same. Calculus was something I learned (memorized) and then forgot within a few minutes after each test was just barely passed.

And, you know, to this day I have this suspicion that the whole crazy discipline of mathematics, in all its beautiful complexity, is merely a phony and fraudulent field, one that satisfactorily answers questions and thereby provides the means of bringing many technical wonders into existence, but is completely misunderstood by its awe-struck acolytes.

Of course, I realize that this could be, on my part, no more than an example of sour grapes.


ALSO


cuisine [kwuh-zeen]
noun
style or method of cooking, esp. as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment.
food cooked in a certain way: "sampling the local cuisine".

Cuisine is a characteristic style of cooking practices and traditions, often associated with a specific culture. Cuisines are often named after the geographic areas or regions that they originate from. A cuisine is primarily influenced by the ingredients that are available locally or through trade. Religious food laws, such as Islamic dietary laws and Jewish dietary laws, can also exercise a strong influence on cuisine. Regional food preparation traditions, customs and ingredients often combine to create dishes unique to a particular region.

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BORN ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY

Gabby Hayes


Born May 7, 1885
Died Feb. 9, 1969

George Francis "Gabby" Hayes was an American radio, film, and television actor. He was best known for his numerous appearances in Western movies as the colorful sidekick to the leading man, such as Roy Rogers.

ALSO

Teresa Brewer
 

Born May 7, 1931
Died Oct 17, 2007
 

American pop singer whose style incorporated elements of country, jazz, R&B, musicals and novelty songs. She was one of the most prolific and popular female singers of the 1950s, recording nearly 600 songs. Some that I remember are:

"Music! Music! Music!"
"Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue)"
"Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now"
"Ricochet (Rick-O-Shay)"
"A Tear Fell"
"A Sweet Old Fashioned Girl"
"Let Me Go, Lover"

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Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.
--Doug Larson