While out at an antique mart today my son found an abacus and started playing with it. I told him that they were considered by many to be the first computer, and were the first kind of calculator.

Then he asked me how it worked. I had no idea.

We came home, and found this link. It has an java tutorial that takes you step by step through the operations.

Ever wondered how an abacus works?

Now THESE are some WOW pumpkins. Incredible art.

Art in Pumpkins

I think they should have been released long ago. Watching the congressional hearings, there was mention of much more serious offenses. I don't think justice has been served in the case - why is it that only low level enlisted men and women have been charged? No, I heard at the initial release of the first pictures that there were movies of young boys - not men - being raped, a man being murdered, and much, much more perverse things than the first batch.

Terrorists are going to kill us anyway. I think that is what we are calling Iraqi citizens now that don't agree with the US 'action.'

This will inflame them, rightfull, but hopefully it will also inflame the American public so that this sort of thing NEVER happens again.

I heard a general say that the judge that did this should be drawn and quartered. OK. A General wants to kill a judge in a violent, torturous way. OK. I got it. I might be the only one that has it, but I heard that message loud and clear and I didn't like it one damn bit. RELEASE THE DAMN PHOTOS and come clean on this one.

RE: FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Judge: Release Abu Ghraib Photos

The Federal Communications Commission thinks you have the right to use software on your computer only if the FBI approves.

No, really. In an obscure "policy" document released around 9 p.m. ET last Friday, the FCC announced this remarkable decision.

According to the three-page document, to preserve the openness that characterizes today's Internet, "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement." Read the last seven words again.

FBI to get veto power over PC software?

I really like this better than Google as far as entertainment value goes. The homepage doesn't look like much, and well, hell, who wants another toolbar? In this case - ME!

This is no hotbar. This toolbar has no adware or spyware, its just pure fun. Click sign up, download the toolbar, and make sure to fill out your profile. It even gives you a Myer's Briggs personality like test that you can enter. (I had the real thing, and this one also said I was an ENTP, so it seems it is right.)

Ok, so what's in it for you? GREAT WEBSITES that you probably never knew existed that are going to be right up your alley. It harnesses the power of social networks and memes to help bring you the best content that you could ever want.

I've turned quite a few people onto it now, and they are all totally loving it.

You can also network with friends, and join groups by similiar interest. You also get your own page, with your interests. For example, I'm skullaria.stumbleupon.com.

Its great for kids too. My son loves to find online games, so I set up his to serve computer graphic content, online games, info on video games, ect - and, as a sneaky mom - I intersperced some science links that I thought he'd like. Its working - he's getting lots of educational games.

You can rate the content you want to see.

The only negatives I can think of are that some people are using x-rated avatars that kids can see and of course, privacy advocates might not like it. Its not terribly nosey, however, mainly you need a screenname and email.

That, and, well, its addictive, but in a good way. Over 203 million stumbles so far. I like to watch the counter. It is growing like wildfire.

The is the best thing I've found on the net besides Google

""The United States has lost control of their budget at a time when racking up deficits has been authorized without any control (from Congress)," Breton said.

"We were both disappointed that the management of debt is not a political priority today," he added."

Greenspan tells France that the US has LOST CONTROL

Tired of waiting on red lights, get one of these handy dandy redlight changers NOW. ;)

Save gas - change that red light to green

The Homeschool Herald is a newspaper by the local Atlanta and North Georgia homeschool community. It is starting to be distributed in and around Atlanta and North Georgia.

I find it just adorable. My own son has 3 pictures in this month's issue, but I know all of these kids and they are some really great kids, so I am proud of them all.

Homeschool Herald - A local newspaper by kids

Don't fall in!

Great linear perspective.

Sidewalk Chalk Guy

And now, the other shoe.

Hurricane Rita at this time yesterday was a tropical storm. As of an hour ago, Rita was a Cat2, with strengthening expected. Where is she going? Galveston/Houston. Hopefully, the storm will blow itself out before it does any damage. That and a tank full of gas will get you the hell out of Houston to someplace safe(r) like Dallas.

The only thing I ca say for sure is, New Orleans had best hope it keeps going that way. If it turns right like Katrina did, it could dump everything on New Orleans, and worse, into the Mississippi watershed. The Lake Ponchetrain levees failing was bad. Dump an entire hurricane into the Mississipps and you risk losing the levees on that side. If that happens, it's all over. The level of the river is much higher than the lake, and it has a constant inflow of water. Lots of it.

Stay Tuned...

Hurricane RITA