Notes from aLegend

Mandevilla Blooms can "Trap" Butterflies

2008-08-31T13:00:00.019-04:00

- Recently a butterfly was inside a mandevilla flower for days. Eventually the blossom fell off, as they all do. The butterfly had checked out. I Googled and found it happens. They say, even at least one hummingbird has got stuck.
- Today another butterfly stayed in a bloom, but was alive. So I decided to tear the petals away and free it. It fluttered and soon flapped itself free. Apparently, actually adhered to the flower. It flew away very quickly.

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HDTV - Antenna - Viewing Distance

2008-05-04T00:17:00.001-04:00

- For "Over-the-air" High Def I now use the Multi Directional DB2 Antenna. It pulled in an extra station. Good reception, no need to plug it in.
- Check AntennaWeb.org for available stations where you live. Indoor HD antennas do not always work well. Have to try them.
- Best Viewing Distance for HDTV. Take the screen size diagonally multiplied by 2 for the closest watching; and by 3 for the farthest watching distance. So a 37" HDTV set is best viewed at about 6' to 9'.

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ObjectDock - Free Application Launcher

2007-03-10T17:53:00.001-05:00

ObjectDock is customizable and free. On mouseover, the Application Icons enlarge smoothly. Change the look easily. I prefer a "Blank" background. It can AutoHide at the top of the screen, the bottom or either side.
For often used programs. 88 icons on my Quick Launch works fine. The 15 used the most are also on ObjectDock. There are similar programs. I like this one.
Excellent, gorgeous and worth seeing. - - ObjectDock

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Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI

2007-03-09T19:42:00.001-05:00

Most digital images can be enhanced by software. Each program does certain things well and have features you may never use. Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI is terrific with fine tools. Subtle tweaks; good Tutorial Videos; very practical on-screen "flyout" Help display for each procedure. Glad I upgraded for the new Levels Adjustment alone, which works well. I used and decided not to upgrade to ver. 12 - yet.

On the other hand, I also used Photoshop Elements 4 briefly for a few features. But I'm proficient with PSP and much prefer it's Workspace. For a free program, with decent basic enhancing tools included, Picasa works OK; and organizes all images easily.

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The Glasswing Butterfly (Greta oto)

2006-04-04T23:03:00.000-04:00

Glasswing Butterflies have transparent wings which looks like glass. It acts as a camouflage mechanism. They do not get to the USA, but are common throughout Central America and into Mexico.
Click to see this very beautiful Full Sized Image
Another very good picture
A few more pictures
I'll recognize it if I ever see one.

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iRobot Roomba Floor Vacuum

2004-12-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

The iRobot Roomba Floor Vacuum may be the most useful purchase I ever made. I like clean floors, but hate vacuuming. With my bare floors, this robotic vacuum is excellent. Press two buttons and leave the house. Job done.

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Balancing Coins...

2004-08-03T01:14:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder why cashiers put coins on top of the bills when making change. They do that because of computerized cash registers. A digital display shows the change dollar amount, which they count out first, then they count the coins. Often with a smile they put the bills, with loose coins balanced on top, into your one free hand. Pretty harmless nuisance. I figured out the reason for this.

Before computerized cash registers, it was exactly the opposite. The cashiers had to actually think what the change would be. So, they put the coins in your hand first; then the bills. The way God meant it to be. If given a $10 bill for a $7.50 item, they would mentally count out the coins (50 cents) first; then mentally count the bills (two dollar bills) and put them on top of the coins they'd already handed to you.

Not a big problem as life goes by. It is good to know the reason for it. Occasionally, some cashiers revert to handing you the coins first. A welcome surprise when one hand is full.

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Mushrooming...

2004-08-02T13:55:00.000-04:00

Click picture for Full size.All of a sudden mushrooms appeared on my lawn. I took a picture of the 7 inch big one and then removed them. Two mornings later there were 30 more to be tossed. A day later it happened again. I Googled for a solution.

Pretend it's a garden was the best advice. No need to fight them. It means the soil is happy. When the conditions change a bit they will stop. A much smaller crop today. Wonder if their underground network will keep weeds away. ~~~~ Follow-up: They went away about mid October.

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Live in comfort...

2004-07-29T15:45:00.000-04:00

You might as well be comfortable.
Figure he doesn't mind this picture being seen.

He does look comfortable!
Click the picture for Full size.
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Dragonfly leg folding...

2004-07-27T13:41:00.000-04:00

Dragonflies tuck all legs close to the body when flying. And often fold the short front legs beside their neck when perched. It keeps them out of the way if not needed. Many photos show only four legs down.

A good picture of a flying Dragonfly is Here. Note the front legs folded beside the neck. They have excellent eyesight and very good flying skills. Find a dragonfly - and Count the legs.

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The "Wasp Hummingbird"...

2004-07-26T22:16:00.000-04:00

There are "Hummingbird Moths".
There are "Bumblebee Hummingbird Moths".
And I recently saw a "Wasp Hummingbird" moth in my yard.
That HB Wasp sounded and looked dangerous.
However, they have no stinger.
You can see a picture of it Here near the bottom.

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Geocaching defined...

2004-07-25T11:24:00.000-04:00

"Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users."
You visit local scenery you never knew was there - worldwide.
Perhaps the most popular reason is to share favorite spot(s) by placing Geocaches. Hunting caches is a good way to learn about using GPS. Details are at Geocaching.com

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