Wednesday, August 15, 2018

We are back in Okemos after our second trip to Pennsylvania and Philly in a month. An event I expect to see repeated over the coming years. It now feels like we have officially launched Molly. We took van and a 10-foot trailer, both fully loaded with Molly’s stuff. And we took Lindsay too, but we brought her back.

Lindsay helping pack.

Loaded and ready to roll.

So, while I was traversing the PA Turnpike, my siblings were in Florida viewing the launch of the Parker Solar probe. From the NASA VIP lounge no less. Where they got to meet Eugene Parker, the physicist the probe was named after. Too cool. Good connections pay off. The most exciting thing that I, the only person in my family with a physics degree, got to see was a rear-end accident on the PA Turnpike. I’m only a little jealous.

Lynn and Gene Parker.

What they got to see (NASA photo).

What I stared at all day.

This was a little scary. Guess they ave to learn somewhere.

With Molly officially gone I spent a half day taking apart her Ikea bunkbed. The trick was taking it apart in a such a way that it can be reassembled. Lesson learned, Ikea furniture is made to go together, not be taken apart. I have some saws and torches that would have made the taking apart easy, but the reassemble part would have been another story. I eventually got it apart, but it wasn’t fun. I guess it could have been worse. I’m sure there’s things equally horrifying. A tRump second term, a Pence presidency, or having your cellmate Bubba give you a Valentine’s Day card come right to mind.

I also got out today to do some odonating. Only the second time this summer. I was realy out of practice but managed to get a couple photos of the regulars.

Female common green darner.

Violet dancer.

Calico pennant.

One of the meadowhawks, probably red-faced.