E-reading about eels

Lately, I've really been enjoying reading magazines on my tablet. I find it somewhat ironic that I only started getting into e-books and e-journals/magazines after I stopped working at a library. However, now that I'm a patron, I love it. I love all the access to all the things.

In my swiping right through various publications over the holidays, I came across an Economist article that I'm still not sure why I read. But I did, and learned that eels mysteriously go to the sea to reproduce, but literally no one has every witnessed them actually doing the deed. Then they return from sea and, boom, baby eels.

Robo-Bees. Pollination. Wuuut?

I about fell out of my chair when I read this little blurb from Scientific American about Robo-Bees could aid insects with pollination duties. I guess I forgot how advanced drones really are now. I was first reminded at the super bowl this year when 300 of them were in perfect formation for the halftime show. Amazing.

While I think this is a very innovative solution to this problem, two things come to mind:

• Drones can literally become the flies on the walls. Pretty creepy. Pollination today, super spy technology tomorrow.
• Why don't we figure out how to save the bees, too? We're innovative enough to do that, as well.

Book Review: Birds of Lesser Paradise

Birds of a Lesser Paradise
by Megan Mayhew Bergman

This book of stories was another one of my superficial selections in which I used the "pick a book based on its cover" technique, though I think I might have discovered the book through a review from the Boston Globe. That's the nice thing about tracking my books using Pinterest - I know where the heck I uncovered these titles! My book picks based on covers don't usually work out, but this one did!

First, I didn't even realize this was a book of stories because I was captivated by the cool title and the cute owl. Once I started reading, I knew I liked the writing, the author's voice and the tightness of the stories. Each story had a female protagonist and almost all of them really spoke to me. The quandaries that each story highlighted were actually pretty mundane problems - daughters having mommy issues, spouses having disagreements about having a child - but Bergman knows how to spin a story and keep you hooked until you realize "Oh, right, I'm reading short stories and that one's done."

Bergman's characters are great, there is just enough dialogue and it's awesome and, my favorite part, EVERY story has a critter woven into it. I was reviewing the book club questions and one asked how the animals have an effect on each human in the stories. As I pondered that, I had to laugh at how much I enjoy animals in fiction. The mundane, when done right, is pretty incredible. Bergman does it right.

I'd say the only problem with the stories was sometimes I found that the main characters seemed similar and I had to use the animals to navigate my brain back to the fact it was a different story. It's sort of funny because while the human characters seem the same, the stories are all very different and interesting. I felt very satisfied with the range of experiences that this book took me on.

Nonetheless, Bergman is a skilled writer. This is her first book, but you can bet I will keep an eye out for this writer's new stuff.

On a personal note, I really enjoy having a mix of reading available. I usually like to read one work of fiction, one of non-fiction and then I like to keep a book of short stories or poems on hand. This mix doesn't overwhelm me and gives me an option when I need a change of pace. I can't believe I wasted so much of my reading time stuck on one book for so long!

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 12 - The Puppy Lucy and all of our critter friends

This time last year, our sweet dog Carmen was passing from this world. While we miss and love her so much, my parents and I are grateful for this little stinker, Lucy, to have come into our lives. Truly, I'm grateful for all of our furry critter friends. Animals really do enhance our human lives.

This photograph was taken by my aunt Elizabeth and is entitled, "Portrait."

Sunday Funday - Critter Webcams

Recently I came across a webcam set up by the advertising agency Campbell Ewald. They've had a falcon nest up for a while and now there is a little old falcon family in residence there. I can't get enough.



Check out these other animal webcams. Perfect for a little dose of cute to get your day going right.

• National Zoo, including my favorite, PandaCam
• Toledo Zoo
• San Diego Zoo