The Murphy Bed

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For years, one of the best ways to achieve the open-plan bedroom has been to install a Murphy bed—a hinged bed that folds vertically into a wall closet when not in use. Various legends have it that in the early 20th century, William Lawrence Murphy applied for a patent on the device, which he devised … Read more

Positive Qualities – Brotherly & Accommodating

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The past is already incorporated in me. — Dr. George Sheehan (1918-1993) Cardiologist We do have some language difficulties. This week’s qualities are Brotherly and Accommodating. In order to be accommodating I have also added “Sisterly” below. Maybe I should put both of them under siblingesque. Have a good week. Peace, Jim             BROTHERLY Definitions: … Read more

Foodies Making a Difference

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Here are 202 organizations that are making a difference. They are  active around the world, working to create a more sustainable, more just food system. Action Against Hunger | ACF International—Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF International runs programs in over 40 countries. ActionAid — ActionAid works with poor and marginalized people to … Read more

Positive Qualities – Deserving & Celebrated

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A man [is] never just a man. A man [is] endless possibilities waiting to become. — William Kent Krueger (1950-) Author You may Deserve to be Celebrated, but if you are celebratory you gain an experience of internal bliss which will shine through your soul. Peace, Jim             DESERVING Definition: worthy of merit; creditable             … Read more

An Elegant 3d Printer Design

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The math is a bit trickier. But, hey, at least there are no moving parts to wear out in isomorphism. Whether you’re printing human organs or wall sections for building construction, chances are you’ve spent some time thinking about a gantry system. All things considered, a Rostock based 3d printer inspires through a performance that … Read more

Re-inventing the Wheel

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If you’ve never explored the Thingiverse, perhaps the best place to start is with the wheel. This is very highly customizable wheel in the way of an OpenSCAD file with 46 parameters that provides a limitless set of combinations and wheel designs. In addition to the spoke options you see here, ou can select tread designs, … Read more

3D Printing – The First Snort is Free

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It’s been selling all of us overpriced ink and toner for decades now, while basically giving its printers away. It plans to do the same thing with 3D printers by making them compatible only with proprietary spools and filaments. HP recently told the press that it has already developed a special polymer that its 3D … Read more

As Tiny Houses Go, Try Whimsical.

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Move over C.S. Lewis. You’ve got competition now J.R.R Tolkien. This tiny home studio is one truly inspirational abode for the aspirational writer. Heck, even I could churn out readable stuff from a home like this! The builder describes it as a Whimsical Day Use Shop, Potting Shed or Hideout. But, they must have never … Read more

The Most Insidious Symbioses

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The United States is the world’s largest grower and consumer of genetically-modified (GM) foods. As of 2010, the United States had 66.8 million hectares of GM crops planted, covering 16.5 percent of our total agricultural area. Because GM foods are made with proteins from organisms that weren’t previously part of the food chain, GM foods … Read more

Ag-gag — When the Law is an Ass

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North Dakota, Montana and Kansas were the first to embark on what is known as Ag Gag back in 1990-91. Three more states elected to impair the First Amendment in 2012 when Iowa, Utah, and Missouri lost their independence to big-agri. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Mercy for Animals, The American Society … Read more