Category: Nonfiction

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National Static Electricity Day

January 9 is Static Electricity Day. Static electricity is different from the electricity that turns on our lights and appliances. For a clear definition, we’ll quote Wikipedia. “Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. The charge remains until it is able to move away by means of an electric current or electrical discharge. Static electricity is named in contrast with current electricity, which flows through wires or other conductors and transmits energy.”

Static electricity occurs when the positive and negative charges of an atom are out of balance. When two insulators, such as cloth or plastic, are rubbed together they transfer electrons causing positive and negative charges. To rebalance these charges, static electricity is discharged when an insulator comes into contact with a conductor like a piece of metal. This release is what causes the shock from static electricity.

There are a few things you can do to help prevent getting shocked. During the Winter months, the air is drier than the humid air of the Summer months. Use a humidifier in your home to put moisture back in the air. Moisturizing your skin before getting dressed will also help. Synthetic fibers are better conductors than natural fibers. Wearing cotton will have less of a charge than polyester. Holding a key or metal pen will help discharge the buildup of static without shocking you. And finally, wear leather-soled shoes instead of rubber-soled.

Now that you know some new things, go rock down to Electric Avenue.

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What’s New Wednesday: January 6

We are rolling in hot to the new year. And that means there are new writing goals as well. I hope to have a couple more serialized short stories in the future but no news in that area for the moment. Poetry posts will be a little different this month and part of next month. You probably noticed yesterday’s poetry post titled “The Tales of Enderas.” This is a poem series I wrote many years ago and the remaining Monday and Tuesday posts will be part of this series. I don’t have many poem series so this is fun for me. Perhaps it will inspire more of these. Also, I began writing  fiction for this same series using the poems to help outline my ideas. I may revisit this story and eventually post it on my blog.

Also, starting at the end of the month, I’m changing my Saturday posts. January 30 will begin the new segment Snapshot Saturday. I’ll share one or two photos I’ve taken and maybe describe each one. I’m finally taking some pride in my amateur photography. I have hundreds of photos to share as well. This will be an exciting new addition to the blog. I’m excited. Are you excited? I’m excited. For now, everything else is business as usual. There are two more installments of the “Yuletide Aviary” story so don’t miss those. Let me know how you feel about some of these new additions to the blog.

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Wacky Wednesday: January 6

Welcome to the first wacky day of the new year. This one will be lots of fun. There are still several old English insults that we haven’t covered so let’s keep that trend going. Our first word is Mumblecrust. A mumblecrust is a toothless beggar and is derived from the name of a stock character in medieval theatrical farces. Our second word is Quisby. This is someone who shirks from work or lays around. In Victorian English, doing quisby meant the same thing. These insults don’t roll of the tongue like many others, but it can be fun to call someone a name and have them not know what it means.

There are several holidays today. For our token food holidays we have National Shortbread Day, this refers to the shortbread cookie of Scottish origin, and National Bean Day. Though this day is intended to celebrate the beans we usually eat; kidney, red, soy, etc…I also like to think of it as another day to celebrate the coffee bean. I do enjoy adding beans to soups as well. Today is also National Technology Day celebrating all things technology from smartphones to vehicles. And today is National Cuddle Up Day. January is the coldest month of the year and this day encourages everyone to cuddle up with loved ones for the many health benefits. Enjoy some shortbread as you cuddle with your significant other or even your pet. It’s always a good time for cuddles.