Monday, October 12, 2026

Need a Serious Discussion Starter?

 I've been reading Elizabeth Strout's novels ever since I discovered her in my local used book store in 2008. Her latest novel, "The Things We Never Say", will be living inside my head for a long time. Not for the craft or art of the story, but for the feelings this simple story will bring and the possible discussions that may occur because of it. Makes me want to go buy several copies and put them in local little libraries -- maybe when it's in paperback. To be honest I'm surprised there isn't a book club in every public library discussing this right now.   



Saturday, October 10, 2026

"Atoco’s new machines use specialized materials that can harvest water ..."

 An industrial park in Irvine, California, may seem an odd spot to show off technology that wouldn’t be out of place in Dune, but that’s what’s happening on a sweltering September morning.

The temperature is already over 80 degrees Fahrenheit as the sun rises on a 20-foot-tall, metal-clad machine in the parking lot of Atoco, an Irvine, California-based startup. Engineers open panels to check systems and an iPad that shows a steadily ascending line that reveals the device’s purpose: harvesting water from thin air using special materials known as metal organic frameworks, or MOFs.


Tuesday, September 29, 2026

What's the Difference Between an Electric and Gas Car? via Edmunds website

"The benefits to getting an electric vehicle may seem obvious: no more filling up your car with expensive gas, fewer items on your vehicle to regularly maintain, and no tailpipe emissions. But you can't beat the convenience of knowing there will be a gas station just a few miles down the road when your tank is low, and gas-powered vehicles are familiar to most car buyers. We're going to cover all the differences between electric cars and gas cars in this article so you can decide which is right for you.


Electric cars vs. gas cars: Cost

How much you pay for your vehicle, whether it's gas or electric, can vary wildly. But electric vehicles typically cost more to purchase than their gasoline-powered counterparts. That said, a Consumer Reports study found that the total cost of ownership for an electric car is far lower than a gas car when factoring in things like purchase price, maintenance and fuel. So what gives?


Electric cars vs. gas cars: Fuel cost

Electricity typically costs a lot less than gasoline. The cost of charging an electric car is influenced by a lot of factors, including whether you charge at home or use a public charger, the price of electricity, and the efficiency of your electric car. But the fuel savings with an electric car can be immense. The Department of Energy released a study that says electric vehicle owners can save nearly $15,000 over a 15-year period, a huge savings for most owners."

To read the entire article click here