Kathleen Charters and Lawrence Charters
Explorations large and small
Last week, a penguin completed an epic migration that lasted a couple years and thousands of miles. When measured in penguin distances, it encompassed more miles than Neil Armstrong traveled going to the moon and back in his celebrated “one Continue reading Epic penguin migration
Modern farming equipment can harvest and package a crop in a single pass: At least that’s what I assume is going on here.
This photo was taken well after sundown. The light on the ridgeline is reflected from snow off the Olympic Mountains, bouncing back into the sky and reflected again off the clouds. It looks as if it could be from city Continue reading Light of other days
Transcribed from a series of text messages: ❦ ❦ ❦ Kathleen packed tea and a banana in my briefcase this morning. I’m at work, eating the banana, drinking tea, waiting for a security scan of a website to finish, wondering Continue reading Bananas and seppuku
Third world problems usually center around a lack of food, clothing, water, or shelter, or possibly all of them. Compounding these lacks, you often have severe pollution and poverty. First world problems, however, are more nuanced. For example, this sign Continue reading First world problems
Pirates are thriving, and it may be a good thing. On December 2, Iceland’s President mandated that Pirate Party Member of Parliament Birgitta Jónsdóttir form a government. In the October 2016 general election, the Pirate Party came in third, but the two Continue reading Pirate Party: success at last!
Commerce is a human-created ecology, mutating over time to fit niches. Even absurd niches. Possibly because I don’t like mayonnaise, I see no reason for tiny 1.8 ounce glass jars of mayonnaise, though the Dijon mustard tempted me. Janis Ian has Continue reading Adventures in shopping II
This is allegedly a check-in kiosk, allowing you to get a personal, human touch from a machine and not one of those impersonal people. Unfortunately, it would not let you check in. Several things are of interest: While laser printers Continue reading Out of order: coming soon!
This rather large sign asks for humane treatment of roaches and rodents, selling technology that allegedly annoys the vermin. Yes, “las cucarachas” means “cockroaches” and “roedores” means “rodents.” Hate to say this, but most humans just want them gone, and Continue reading Humane treatment of vermin