Author: James Amos

  • Attack of the Killer Gnats!

    Attack of the Killer Gnats!

    A couple of days ago we made our usual spring trip out to the Terry Trueblood trail. The phlox and grasses waved in the breeze and we saw quite a few birds. There was also a swarm of killer midges or gnats that attacked us. They ambushed us when we got close to the trees…

  • Do We See Each Other?

    Do We See Each Other?

    I know that what I’m writing here this evening is going to sound foolishly sentimental and maybe even a little spooky, but I was struck by this weird experience I had tonight. It was just a little odd and too fortuitous. I’m not going to talk at any length about the politics of it, just…

  • Why Did the Killdeer Cross the Road?

    Why Did the Killdeer Cross the Road?

    We hit the Terry Trueblood trail yesterday and caught pictures of several birds including a hilarious family of killdeer herding babies around the parking lot. At first, we weren’t sure how many chicks there were because they were difficult to see in the grass. Eventually we counted 3 chicks. It was a comical show as…

  • Three Photos to Share for Mental Health Awareness Month

    Three Photos to Share for Mental Health Awareness Month

    So, I have to hurry up and get these 3 photos posted for today because it’s getting pretty late. Recall the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative calendar along with my photos to share: The images are important features of events in my life or my sense of humor. I’m a birdwatcher and many different species of…

  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

    This is May and it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. I just found out about something exciting and it’s the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. See the Calendar of Events and the Checklist.

  • Procrastinate on Getting the Covid Vaccine?

    Procrastinate on Getting the Covid Vaccine?

    This post is sort of my thinking out loud about whether or not I should get the Covid vaccine ahead of this summer that was approved last year as being appropriate to get twice a year by the CDC—once in the fall along with the flu shot and once to protect against the Covid summer…

  • Fart Around for Your Health!

    Fart Around for Your Health!

    How many farts can old fart fart if an old fart walks to fart? I’m sure you’ve heard that one by now after a recent news article suggested that farting while going for a walk on the street after dinner (or any meal) could make you healthier. It’s not like the only reason is that…

  • How Do Tournament Cribbage Players Play So Fast?

    How Do Tournament Cribbage Players Play So Fast?

    I finally tracked down an American Cribbage Congress (ACC) game from 2017 in Reno, Nevada. It was an hour-long match between just two of the many competitors. They played 4 games in approximately one hour. What amazed us was that they could play each game in about 15 minutes despite socializing with others, getting interrupted,…

  • Cribbage for Turtles!

    Cribbage for Turtles!

    We’re still turtles when it comes to how long we take to play a cribbage game. And, I think I misjudged how randomization works with shuffling cards using a machine. I checked on line and various sources say, in general, whether you’re manually shuffling or using an automatic shuffling machine, adequate randomization of 52 cards…

  • The Automatic Card Shuffler for Cribbage!

    The Automatic Card Shuffler for Cribbage!

    Today we used the automated card shuffler Sena ordered. I couldn’t find a company name or anything else from the box about where it’s made. We know it’s loud, but it does the job. We’re not sure why it’s so noisy. It sounds like a bunch of pots and pans falling out of the cupboard…