Category Archives: science

Friday, 29 March 2013

Posted on 29 March 2013 by Robert Bruce Thompson

07:43 – I got email from Paul Jones yesterday afternoon shortly after I’d finished reading this article: X-Ray Structures Of Everything. Without Crystals. Holy Cow. As Paul said, if this technique holds up, it changes the world. And you can … Continue reading →

Posted in science | 50 Comments

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Posted on 23 January 2013 by Robert Bruce Thompson

07:42 – I told Barbara last night that she shouldn’t worry about Colin and me at home. We can hold down the fort here if she wants to spend more time with her dad over the coming days, weeks, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbara, science, science kits | 39 Comments

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Posted on 9 January 2013 by Robert Bruce Thompson

07:53 – Barbara’s dad is still in the hospital. The news isn’t good, exactly, but it’s about the best that could be expected. Barbara’s hoping he’ll be released tomorrow or Friday and can go home. She and her sister are … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbara, science | 40 Comments

Thursday, 3 January 2012

Posted on 3 January 2013 by Robert Bruce Thompson

09:45 – I’ve been dithering about whether or not to include a mixed bacteria culture in the Life Science kits. Well, not literally a culture, because a culture is by definition reproducing. Such cultures are provided in a nutrient broth … Continue reading →

Posted in science, science kits | 78 Comments

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Posted on 26 December 2012 by Robert Bruce Thompson

07:28 – Thanks to Lynn McGuire for the link to the following image. As usual, xkcd gets the science right. The purple stain in the first panel is Hucker’s crystal violet, the primary stain used in Gram staining, and all … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, science | 31 Comments

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Posted on 10 October 2012 by Robert Bruce Thompson

08:15 – Beginning 1 January, the Catholic church loses its tax exemption in Italy. It’s about time for something similar to happen here in the US, not just to the Catholic church, but to all churches and non-profits. There’s no … Continue reading →

Posted in government, politics, science, science kits | 32 Comments

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Posted on 6 September 2012 by Robert Bruce Thompson

08:52 – For about 20 years, I’ve been ordering bulk pipe tobacco from Craig Tarler at Cornell & Diehl. I order five pounds at a time, which lasts me a few months. I store the gallon ziplock bags in the … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, science | 22 Comments

Friday, 20 April 2012

Posted on 20 April 2012 by Robert Bruce Thompson

08:17 – We’re now shipping biology kits. Right now, getting a biology kit packed for shipping takes longer than doing the same for a chemistry kit. That’s because I know exactly what should be in a chemistry kit, so I … Continue reading →

Posted in government, politics, science, science kits | 12 Comments

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Posted on 28 February 2012 by Robert Bruce Thompson

08:58 -Today is the last day of Barbara’s four-day weekend. She’s picking up her sister and parents and heading for some big outlet mall somewhere. Sunday we ran out of the Scotch Blue masking tape we use to seal chemical … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics, science, science kits | 22 Comments

Saturday, 31 December 2011

Posted on 31 December 2011 by Robert Bruce Thompson

08:25 – From xkcd. 09:15 – Although I joined only a month or two ago, I’ve been reading the Well-Trained Minds forums for years to keep up with the homeschooling community. The woman who wrote the WTM book and runs … Continue reading →

Posted in science | 30 Comments