Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Hillbilly Idol makes it to YouTube

News Flash: Scientists find Nature is Relaxing!!

There have been several articles recently about the value of taking a break in a natural setting. One reports on a study that found that children diagnosed with ADHD could focus better after they had taken a 20 minute walk in a natural setting, like a park. The same walk in an urban setting or residential neighborhood did not have the positive effect.

In a follow-up article, the New York Times interviewed researcher Andrea Faber Taylor, who explained the study as follows:

"...the human brain has two forms of attention: “directed” attention, which is what we use most of the time to concentrate on work, studies and tests, and “involuntary” attention, which is what occurs when we automatically respond to things like running water, crying babies or wild animals. The problem is that directed attention is a finite resource — everyone has experienced the fatigue of taking a test or a big project at work. Attention restoration theory suggests that walks in nature and views of green space capture our involuntary attention, giving our directed attention a needed rest. "

This is why we have a farm - attention restoration therapy!

Too Early for Snow!

The Plain Dealer reports 'a few minutes' of flakes this morning - no, not cornflakes, the snow kind. Early even for Chardon! Chad, let's get that heat on!!

October Visits

Quick couple of days in Ohio - first, a meeting with the builders. Construction coming along although now is the point when everything seems to slow way down. All the framing is done, windows in - it is now very clear that the space will be really nice, and so far, no nasty surprises. Here on the left is the view from the 'lake view room' - ok, there's only a tiny bit of lake you can see, but Paul has suggested we go under cover of night and cut a few of the neighbors' trees down and then we could see more. Not too likely to happen! In the front, the new story looks good - we decided to use Ohio fieldstone for the base of the columns holding up the entry roof, and that was a good choice, because it highlights the old fieldstone chimney in the old wing. The top of the columns will be wrapped in wood.

A wonderful surprise was to find that my high school friend Laura Welsh (nee Jevnikar) - with whom I have recently re-connected on Facebook - was also in Chardon for the weekend. We had a nice chance to get together for coffee and to catch up on all our news. Stopped in at Sages Apples to say 'hi' to Bob - gorgeous fall day and the place was incredibly busy!

Then off for 10 days to CA and other parts west, returning to OH - for a conference in Columbus on personalized medicine, then the CWRU board of trustees meeting. Had just a few hours with the family - time to take the kids to a haunted house, appreciate the fall foliage, throw the stick for the dog a few times. Sunday back on the road to CT - nice to be home again at last!

Election 2008

Well it looks as though Obama is widening his lead in the overall election, with Real Clear Politics showing him with 286 likely electoral votes compared to 155 likely for McCain. There are still 97 that are too close to call - and Ohio is one of them! The kids and I drove through the county last week on our way to a Halloween haunted house, and took an informal poll counting yard signs (one per house to eliminate the over-enthusiastic!) for both candidates. Starting at the intersection of Auburn and Chardon Rds and ending in Hiram (that's about 28 miles of country roads, winding through the middle of Geauga County), we found: Obama 31, McCain 25. This is probably a bit misleading, as Obama picked up a LOT when we entered Hiram - college town! Otherwise, in the fairly rural areas of Geauga County, I would call if fairly even. Of course we're not statistical in the least - and this does leave out ALL the urban vote. But if you want my opinion, there are many more Obama signs than one would expect in this very conservative area of Ohio, and so I'm hopeful.

I was intending to put out my own Halloween-themed Obama sign, but tenants Ray and Zack (of Helper T-Cell fame) beat me to it - not sure I get why the scarecrow holding the Obama sign has an elephant head, but its cool anyway!