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3-D Printer Makes A Bionic Ear
This is absolutely fascinating. I can’t even believe we are here, from a technological standpoint. If we can print a bionic ear that is functioning now, imagine where we will be in five years!
Check out the full article below:
3-D Printer Makes A Bionic Ear : Discovery News.
3-D printed bionic ear
Reading about this technology made me think of some other things. We could easily make super-human parts, just as easily as this functioning ear was printed. It is hard to wrap my mind around the concept of 3-D printing, but it’s not that new from what I understand. What’s even harder to image is that they can actually use tissue–live cells–to print 3-D objects.
Technology is incredible! What do you think about this advancement? Is it a miracle, or is it messing with Mother Nature?
Related articles
- 3D-Printed Bionic Ear Can Hear Radio Waves (natureworldnews.com)
- This Ear Was Made With A 3D Printer And It Hears Better Than Your Ears (huffingtonpost.com)
- Printable ‘bionic’ ear melds electronics and biology (eurekalert.org)
Storm on Saturn is a Stunning View
I happened across this article the other day on Facebook. It drew me in because of the stunning image! The storm on Saturn is hauntingly beautiful. It is also massive!
Hurricane-like storm on Saturn
Check out the full article below:
BBC News – Saturn hurricane snapped by Cassini craft.
It is interesting that this massive storm is stuck on Saturn’s northern pole. They say it is because of the strong winds constantly blowing north on the planet. This is the first time we have been able to take a sunlit image of the pole. Space is so amazing and beautiful!
An image of Saturn’s A Ring, taken by the Cassini Orbiter using an Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Storm on Saturn
Researchers were stunned to see this storm and compared it to a hurricane on Earth, except this one on Saturn is much larger-scale.
Another (even bigger!) storm was photographed on Saturn back in 2006. It is fascinating to be able to view space images of storms on other celestial bodies. What do you think of the pictures?
Related articles
- Watch This: Cassini Captures Saturn’s Wild Polar Hurricane (blogs.discovermagazine.com)
- Saturn Shows Off A Massive Spinning Vortex: ‘The Rose’ (wnyc.org)
- NASA Captures First Images of Saturn’s Titanic Hurricane (escapistmagazine.com)
Poison Ivy Treatments, Anyone?
Spring is here! With the warmer weather and sunshine, we’re finding lots of poison ivy around the woodline. One of my girls is extremely allergic to oily leaves, so we try to avoid it at all costs. My older daughter recently got poison ivy on one of her hands…needless to say, it spread quickly and she ended up with poison ivy on both hands, her forehead, and one elbow.
In a feeble attempt to find a way to make it just go away, I found this informative website:
Poison ivy: Tips for treating and preventing.
Unfortunately, I know poison ivy doesn’t just “go away.” It has to run its course. That means up to 3 weeks of itching and red splotchy spots. 
Poor baby!
Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans….Ivy có độc….#8 (Photo credit: Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants)
I learned to interesting ways to treat the rash. We usually use the old standby, calamine lotion. She also tried applying hydrogen peroxide to the affected areas to help dry the lesions out. It sucks, but nothing is doing much to really relieve the itch for her.
Here are some other suggestions we’ve tried for ditching the poison ivy itch:
- Oatmeal baths (buy the kit/mix at the pharmacy)
- Baking soda bath (add 1 cup to a warm bath)
- Calamine lotion applied to itchy areas
- Cool compresses to soothe the burning itch
- Antihistamines could help, but only in oral form–do not apply an antihistamine cream directly to the rash!
I’m interested in trying out some natural or homeopathic remedies to help her get over the itch. Do you know of any natural treatments that have worked for you?
Related articles
- Ack! Poison Ivy! (zackmarine.wordpress.com)
- An itchy situation: treating poison ivy (newsobserver.com)
- When exposed to poison ivy, act fast (readingeagle.com)
Rubber Fencing?!
I recently discovered this company that recycles old racecar tires and makes them into fencing material. Intrigued, I scoured their website for weeks until I decided to ask for a free sample of the material. Check out their site for yourself (below)!
Once we received our sample in the mail, I was even more impressed. The rubber material is durable, strong, and SAFE! There are no sharp edges and I have been unable to think of any way a horse could injure themselves on this fencing material. Plus, it’s recycling–or upcycling?–old tires that would likely end up in a landfill anyway.
Okay, so I must admit I was sold on it at this point…but I had to convince my loving husband. When I checked the prices, my jaw hit the floor. Not only is this material incredibly safe and eco-friendly, but it is cheap to buy and claims to be easy to install!
If you’re in the market for safe, affordable horse fencing, you NEED to look into this product. We put in an order for enough material to fence a small 305′ x 290′ rectangle paddock. Our order will be delivered next week!
You can bet I’ll be posting about installation of this fence. If all goes well, we will continue to use this product! Stay tuned to see how this fencing project goes. 
Hip Strengthening for Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Weakness in the hips can be a cause of iliotibial band syndrome. One the flare up has subsided and you feel comfortable stretching, it is time to start strengthening those muscles. Strengthening the hips and thighs is key to preventing another IT band flare up down the road.
The article linked below provides a lot of insight into ITB Syndrome as well as stretches and strengthening exercises. The exercises I’m showing you today were found at this link.
Bridging with Single Leg Raise
Strengthens glutes, obliques, and thighs!
- Lie on your back with your hands on your hips.
- Lift hips and shift weight onto one foot.
- Extend other leg without allowing pelvis to drop–keep it level!
- Hold for 10 seconds, lower pelvis, and repeat on the other side/leg.
Clam Shell
Improves gluteus medius control and function! 
- Lie on one side with hips bent at a 45 degree angle and the knees at 90 degrees.
- While keeping your heels together, lift the upper knee by turning your leg out at the hip. Keep your pelvis straight, don’t roll back to lift your leg!
- Hold for 10 seconds and work up to 10 repetitions. Repeat on the other side.
Step Downs
Strengthen the quads and improve knee control!
- Find a stable step. It can be between 2-6 inches high.
- Slowly step down from the step with one leg. Keep your leg straight (knee following toes, not angling inward towards other knee).
- Keep your pelvis level! Put your hands on your hips to help you see if your pelvis stays level.
- Repeat, working up to 3 sets of 10. Do both legs evenly!
Related articles
- One of the most common running injuries, the ITBS (runnerunleashed.com)
- Say What? Runner “Lingo” 101 (runfindyourhappypace.com)
- Quick Tip of the Week: “X” Does Not Always Mark the Spot (healthheralds.wordpress.com)
- Non-arthritis Hip Pain (smartlivingnetwork.com)
Round Pen Slowing Coming Together
Ever since we got horses, I’ve been planning on building some kind of enclosed riding area. Once I decided it was going to be an 80 foot diameter round pen, the serious stages of planning went underway. About a year ago I wrote about planning my round pen here. I basically talked about materials, pricing, and trying to decide where to start.
A year later and our round pen is nearing completion! We decided to go with the free/as cheap as possible route and build with all salvaged materials. We cleared a small wooded area for a paddock and used the downed trees from that venture to build the pen. The only things we had to buy were a large box of 4 inch screws and some gas and oil for the chainsaw.
We ride the horses in the yard usually
Some of the horses have to stay on a line when out in the yard
I found the circumference of my 80 foot diameter round pen by doing a little simple math. The diameter (80) multiplied by Pi (3.14) is equal to the circumference (251.2). I adjusted it to 250 feet around so I could do nice, even 10 foot spacing between each post.
Since the round pen is on a slight incline, we planned to level it by adding fill dirt and building a retaining wall on the downhill side. But, I wanted to be able to use it before we get the fill dirt, since it might be a while. We installed taller posts on the retaining wall side. That way, we can add the retaining wall and fill dirt when we are ready without having to tear all the fencing down and starting from scratch.
After lots of digging, all 25 posts were set at least 2.5 feet into the ground. All of the holes were dug by hand by my family and I. My husband and I easily installed all the crossrails and top rails within a few weekends. We got the gate for free from a nearby farm.
Our almost free DIY round pen is nearing completion
It’s so close! All it needs now is a few more rails to be safely usable. Before long, we’ll be using this round pen!
17-Year Cicadas are Coming Back this Spring!
The cicadas are coming back out this year! We haven’t seen this variety in 17 years. Since I first heard about it, I’ve been worrying about our fruit trees. After reading the article below, I’m thinking we’ll be alright. There are going to be LOTS of cicadas, but supposedly they do not eat the trees.
I haven’t seen these bugs since I was in elementary school. Boy do I remember them well! They come out in masses and they are LOUD! Hopefully I’ll have a chance to get some good pictures of them while they’re out. Check out these pics I found online–they look so creepy!
close-up cicada
17 year cicadas
Have you seen cicadas before? Apparently this 17 year variety is unique to the eastern US. There are other kinds as well, such as 13 year cicadas and another variety that appears in smaller numbers every summer.
Related articles
- May to Mark Return of 17-year Cicadas (newsplex.com)
- Cicada Wings Are Self-Cleaning (scientificamerican.com)
Spring is Blooming!
It’s definitely spring time around my neck of the woods! My wildflowers are shooting up and starting to bloom, the sun is shining, and the breeze is blowing. I’m hoping we have just enough rainy days to keep everything as green and beautiful as it is now.
Tiny shasta daisy seedling coming up
These pink dianthus have been blooming for a few weeks now
We’re seeing butterflies, birds, bees, and all kinds of insects everywhere! I heard that we’re going to be seeing a swarm of cicadas this year. It’s been 17 years since they’ve come out in full force. I hope it isn’t too bad! We have lots of fruit trees and I’ve heard that is what cicadas prefer.
Our garden tilled up into companion patches–you can see our fruit trees behind the garden!
Check out this pretty tiger swallowtail butterfly stopping by my wildflower garden for a snack!
Wildflowers are my favorite! They are all shooting up so fast out here. Some of them are blooming already. Before long, these beds will be full of vibrant, colorful flowers in different shapes and textures! I love how natural and earthy a wildflower bed looks.
A patch of yarrow growing up
A bunch of bachelor buttons will be blooming here before long!
I know the names of lots of wildflowers that pop up, but some of them have me clueless. There is a really pretty variety of pink, white, and red flowers that come up every year in one of my wildflower beds. Do you know what it’s called? I haven’t a clue! If you know what it is, please let me know if the comments section.
What am I?
Related articles
- Wild about Wildflowers, Part 1 (gardendishes.wordpress.com)
- Wildflowers bring spectacular views to Phoenix Desert Preserves (azfamily.com)
- Wildflower Crown (spoonful.com)
- May to Mark Return of 17-year Cicadas (newsplex.com)
- Spring Flowers (canoecommunications.wordpress.com)
Doug’s Transition Back to Health with CVHR
Can I get a round of applause for the hard work and dedication of CVHR’s founders, volunteers, and supporters? Check out Doug now! Here he is the image of a happy, healthy horse ready to learn his job in the world. Doug has been evaluated under saddle now and he was an absolute gentleman!
Doug April 2013
Doug has come a LONG way since his arrival to Central Virginia Horse Rescue. Doug is not the first horse to come to the rescue in such poor condition, and he won’t be the last. Thankfully, the good people at CVHR know how to rehabilitate horses incredibly well. This rescue truly gives every horse taken in another lease on life. Check out Doug’s transition over the past several months below:
Doug’s transition back to health
I support CVHR because I can see the difference this organization makes every day. You can literally see your donations at work as horses are rehabbed, trained, and eventually adopted out into loving forever homes. Thanks for all that you do, CVHR!
Want to help the horses at CVHR? Donations are very much appreciated! Donate to CVHR via PayPal at donations@centralvahorserescue.com or via snail mail to 389 Boydton Plank Road, Brodnax, VA 23920.
Related articles
- CVHR Spring Hay Fundraiser (happilyeverafter71011.wordpress.com)
- Derecho Learning to Lead (happilyeverafter71011.wordpress.com)
Stretching the Iliotibial Band
Since my leg has been feeling usable again, I’ve been researching ways to stretch the iliotibial band. Since it is such a large band, it can be tough to get a really good stretch.
Boy, it sure feels awesome when you find that perfect stretch though! I’ve been using the IT band stretch and the bum stretches for my hip pain. It really makes a difference in my day if I start out with these stretches.
The link below is the original page I found these stretches. It is illustrated with cute little stick figures! I thought I could show you the IT band stretches a little better with actual photos though.
IT Band Stretch
Stand on one leg and lean sideways away from that hip. You can put your other leg in front crossways for balance.
Bum Stretch 1
While lying down on your back, cross one leg over the other. Pull the lower leg up towards your chest.
Bum Stretch 2
Sit with one leg bent and cross the other leg over. Press the hip of the crossed leg downwards to stretch.
Related articles
- One of the most common running injuries, the ITBS (runnerunleashed.wordpress.com)
- Rehab and losing time (blakeisabear.wordpress.com)
- Knee pain in runners…what it means and what to do. (peakphysiotherapyblog.wordpress.com)
