“Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.” –National Weather Service

About an inch so far, and it’s still coming down! We might get our first snow day of the year… just before Spring Break!

A lesson on electromagnetism turned into a toy boat building activity. It always points to magnetic north, unless a big magnet comes and leads it astray.

To make a compass at home, you’ll need: a magnet, a sewing needle, a slice of wine cork and a pan of water. A compass for reference wouldn’t hurt, either.

1. Magnetize the sewing needle by rubbing with the magnet, always in the same direction and with the same pole of the magnet.
2. Carefully push the needle through the slice of cork.
3. Float it on a pan of water.

If your needle doesn’t swing to the north (or south, depending on which end is which pole), check to make sure there are no metallic objects or magnets nearby. If it still doesn’t work, you may need to spend more time magnetizing your needle.

When you get tired of watching the needle swing to the north, decorate your little boat, and use your magnet to pull it around its little pond.

Through the fog, the light exposes the truth.

@Wacky Mommy woke the dead with her scream when I uncovered the little darling.

The sunrise wasn’t as dramatic today as yesterday, but I had my camera ready. Music played by me some time in the 90s, recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder. J.V. Owings “Musette” for 4 clarinets. (Sloppy edit at the end; still learning how to do this video stuff!)

Winter is settling in over the valley.

Happy 2012!

What a beautiful planet we live on.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.