Kindle vs Book

I’m an advocate of online learning! I’m also an advocate of using “modern tools” to bring about more learning. Given that, I’ve been concerned about learning to read from an electronic book (i.e., Kindle, iPad, Nook, etc.). I’ve wondered if comprehension rates were the same for both types of books or reading experience. Kim Komando, one of my favorite online computer gurus, sited a source today saying it is NOT. Click here to find out more.

To read more about the fact that paper beats screen, click here. And for those who want to read the article in Norwegian, click here.

I believe that electronic books are good for experienced readers, but beginners need the advantages of print on paper! The study mentioned above involved a very small group of people. As they say in “academe” more research is needed. This is true...but in the meantime, schools should pay heed to this line of research as they are putting a lot of educational $$ in iTablets that might be better spent on traditional paper books.  

My New Keyboard

I just bought a keyboard for my iPadAir. I had a Zagg keyboard for my first iPad, and I was not very impressed with it. In the meantime, I've had 2 other iPads, and I learned how to use the built-in keyboard quite well. 

One of my friends bought an iPadAir and the Logictech keyboard/case and I finally found a keyboard that I liked. I bought the keyboard online and it arrived this afternoon, and I'm using it right now. It's pretty good. I can even get some speed on my typing. The line between an iPad and a laptop computer has been pretty much erased. 

Growing Up

I saw our twin fawns today and I was surprised. They've grown up in the last few days (the last time I saw them was August 6). They have lost their spots. 

See the difference? 

It's time for them to leave their momma soon. I hope they survive the winter in the Rockies. 

An Aminal

It's the summer for strange and unusual crocheted creations. My crochet-pal likes elephants. I saw this pattern and gave it a try. The first elephant (see July 16) I made sits in the other DrC's office, but this one will be sent to my pal. The little critters are fun to make. 

Again

Guess who spent 3 days in Yellowstone and the Tetons? I went up with 2 lady friends and we had a grand time. The mountains were beautiful; the animals were abundant; the weather was heavenly. It's hard to ask for more. 

The Oxbows with Mt. Moran 

The Grand Tetons

The lovely Jenny Lake nestled in the Tetons

Old Faithful in Yellowstone. 

A good time was had by all. 

Pig Time

It time for the County Fair and that means 4-H Pigs. Our friends raise pigs and their four little kids get super involved. Last year,the two oldest won Grand Champion for Showmanship for their age category. This year we are hoping for a similar outcome but you never know what is going to happen when a 60 pound child starts wrangling a 260+ pound pig. 

That's our boy and Arrow. 

And there's his sister with 1000 pounds of piggy. 

Even the 5 year old and his 2 year old sister get involved. The little one at 25 pounds gets into the pen and gives those pigs marching orders. She's fearless. I'm not sure how much the pigs listen as they seem to sleep most of the time. 

It's a great experience for the kids. They work with the pigs daily for 4 to 5 months. They are responsible for walking, feeding and nurturing their pigs, knowing full well that a week after the fair, the pigs will be sold to the highest bidder. 

Stag

Yesterday we had a doe and her twins, today we had the large stag that has been hanging around this summer. 

He's very distinctive as his rack is not symmetrical. 

I think he has 12 spikes..it is hard to tell. He won't let me get close enough to count. 

Twins

One of our resident does had twins this year. We saw them earlier in the summer, but have not seen them again until yesterday. 

The little family was munching grass and leaves in our front yard. 

This little guy took a drink from a puddle

While the other stayed close to mom. 

They are a treat to see, and as long as they stay in the forest or my yard they will be safe.

Wristers

Wristers are fingerless gloves. One of my friends made a pair and I thought they were cute. I looked on the web for patterns, and came up with a bunch of ideas, but nothing I really liked, so I put those ideas together and came up with this pattern. Not only are they easy to make; they are a good project for all that leftover yarn that seems to accumulate.

Even without fingers they are warm and cozy. Being warm and cozy is not an issue during the summer, but they will be perfect for winter. As the other DrC said, "now I can type when my hands are cold!"