Weather Warning

First warning of this school year:

Tuesday's freezing rain will probably have no effect on school openings, but teachers should consider the wisdom of leaving home early.  You might need to drive slowly.

Evolution Doesn't Always Work The Way We Expect.

It is a common misconception that evolution causes organisms to become more complex.  We think of those single-cell organisms evolving into multi-cellular birds and dogs and cats.

But it can also work the other way.

Evolution is the method by which living things adapt to their environment.  Sometimes that means becoming simpler.

Internal parasites do not need complicated ways to capture food, because they are surrounded by it.  As a result, they can become simpler.

Recent DNA studies of a simple parasite have discovered that it is really a jellyfish!   That's right, a jellyfish that has adapted to being a parasite, becoming smaller and simpler.

Life is fascinating.

There is more information here:  http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/11/13/1511468112

That's All, Folks

Yesterday the oaks were holding tightly to their leaves.


This morning, even though there is not a bit of wind, the leaves are raining down.  

The branches are bare and the ground is covered.


End of Autumn.  

All Over Until Next Year

October 31:  Sunny, bright, the maple trees blazing with color.  The last day of the Autumn season.  Harvest is done. 

November 1:  Cloudy, gray.  Only the oaks are holding on to their leaves.  Winter.