What's Going On...

Bad Blogger! Oops, my bad!

Hey guys! Sorry about my erratic posting behavior. I haven't really figured out my new schedule. There are lots of reasons behind my current state of affairs and since I do like to keep Potspoon! more science related, if you wish to know what is going on, please read my current ramblings at Roogoodoo. To better understand what that post is all about, click on the tab above marked Bipolar Disorder. As many of you know, mental health is not something I take for granted and I hope my ramblings and sporadic posts about it help people... or in the very least, let them know they are not alone!

Keep learning!

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New Ways to View Potspoon!

Blogger has some new view options so you can see your favorite blogs (like Potspoon! or Roogoodoo) In views you want. All you have to do is add /view to the end of the blog address and play around. Maybe you'll find an article you missed or even forgot about that was an old favorite, like the one I did about "Sexless Insects" I stumbled across.. Happy playing!

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About the Lack of Posts

Hey, everyone! Sorry about the lack of content on Potspoon! as of late. Lots of personal things have come up and have really limited access to my computer. Things are starting to even out a bit so be sure to start checking back. I haven't forgot about all my friends in blogland! To make it up to you, I insert an awesome iguana picture... Happy 4th!

Iguana iguana Green iguana

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Happy Birthday, POTSPOON!

Tomorrow, Potspoon! turns two! I am not even sure how to celebrate... do I have a giveaway? Last years ended with people I physically knew winning. Kinda lame. Maybe I will do better this year with that. Do I post crazy old posts? Do I give stats about Potspoon!? What should I do to celebrate? New video, perhaps? Goodness knows I have more than enough footage for a few...

Help!!!!! What do you want to see for Potspoon!'s Second Birthday?

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Potspoon! Updates

Hello, dear readers... hope all is well for you out there. Since the posting on Potspoon! has been erratic lately, I figured I would clue you in to what is going on around here.

First things first, Mimi (that would be me) got studio space for her little art business and has been dealing with all that growing a business entails. That also means less time for posting. However, on our Facebook Fan Page, we have been keeping the masses entertained with a "Name That Creature" game. We post pictures of critters, usually previously seen on Potspoon!, and the race is then on for who can come up with genus and species using minimal clues. It's actually quite fun and you are free to post pictures of your own as well. Many of our small updates are posted here as well. Feel free to join the fun.

Our amazing writer of all things spacey, Astro Todd, worked it out so that we could sponsor an episode of 365 Days of Astronomy. It's a daily podcast about, well, astronomy! Our episode is the March 9th episode but listen to a ton of them, they are quite fun! Also, our dear Astro Todd is in the process of starting his own blog: c squared. It's under construction at the moment, but keep in tune because if his previous posts are any indication, it will be a great blog to follow.

Lastly, many of my older readers will recall there was a mysterious "Bitters" who was supposed to contribute to the site. I think this may have been the last post she was mentioned in... that was a long time ago! Well folks, this mysterious Bitters has returned and is ready for action! She will be writing about all things techie (or anything else that suits her fancy) and you can read her first post here. Should be a fantastic series!

Now you know where we stand! What are you all up to these days?

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Farewell, Sciencewomen!

One of my favorite science blogs is closing shop. Sciencewomen has always been on my blogroll and has been a constant source of chuckles, thought provoking essays, and a pool of encouragement for women (or ANYONE) in the sciences. I am sure many of us female science bloggers have Sciencewomen to thank for the confidence to blog at all. When I started reading ScienceWoman (before Alice jumped on board) I think she was like one of 3 or 4 women science bloggers I had come across. When they became the Sciencewomen I followed them over at ScienceBlogs. Now there are literally hundreds of women science writers out there! ScienceWoman and Alice really are being the change they wanted to see in the world. I know bigger and better things await them and they will be sorely missed in the blogosphere. Farewell, ladies!

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The Need for More

... but what? I have recently been reworking my schedules and am figuring out exactly when I need to do what to get the most out of my week. For those of you that haven't been following on Roogoodoo, I have a bit on my plate lately. I still want to provide you with all sorts of fun science tidbits, though, so I have to ask you, what would you like to see more of? I know the videos are popular, but are pretty time consuming, unless you wouldn't mind short news briefs like this one. These types of videos are much easier to make. Or do you want more space and astronomy? Are endangered species your thing? Random science news? Vote below and leave comments please! Every little bit helps the team here at Potspoon! know what you want to read. Thanks guys!

Online Surveys & Market Research

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Donors Choose Final Days

The Donors Choose challenge ends tomorrow so I am imploring one last time: help the kids! You can donate as little as $25 dollars and it can really make a difference in someone's life. Many of the projects I picked at the beginning are completely funded so there are only a few left. Every donation is tax deductible and you always get a nice thank you note from the teacher and students. Did I mention the warm fuzzy feelings you get by helping someone out? You get those, too.

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Sorry for the Interruption...

Even though I love the new colors on the blog (and header), it still feels not right, so I will be tweaking things. Sorry for the mess. I promise it will be in order soon.

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Don't forget...

I am only doing science related posts on Potspoon! now so if you crave random posts about Floyd, island life, or whatever, make sure you check out Roogoodoo. Have a happy weekend!

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Roogoodoo

In island talk it means a mess of things or a jumble. Like stupid people doing dumb things at the traffic light to make the traffic worse. Roogoodoo. Like ridiculous drama that you have nothing to do with cause you are just minding your own business enjoying the live music and someone's drink ends up in your lap. Roogoodoo.

So what is the point of this lesson in West Indian vernacular? I started another blog... yes yes say what you will... I think Potspoon! needs to stay more science oriented, but I like other things so I am going to use the other site as a catch all. Posts about what I do for fun. Posts about art. Posts about my mood swings. Whatever. I just know it needs to be that way. A lot of nonsense; hence, roogoodoo. Besides, the name goes with the theme of West Indies terminology as my blog title! Should be interesting anyway. That way, you can still get the Floyd pictures that are so popular with out the science or get all the science you want with out the Floyd pictures. :D

K, bye!

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Help Please!

Okay, so I worked out most of the glitches on the site that prevented it from loading properly on IE. I also changed a few things with the commenting. You may notice the "commentluv" box. That is to post a link to your most recent entry below your comment. We'll see how it works out. I have seen it used on other sites and really liked it, but you can let me know either way. Now on to more pressing matters... I'm stuck again and am asking for your help! I want to know what colors I should go with (again) for my blog layout. I fugured what I like only matters partially as you guys are the ones that support me by reading it. You are the one that has to look at it. So now on to the poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Thanks for your help (again). See ya soon!

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Time Flies....

I cannot believe that is has been nearly a month since my last post. I feel like such a liar. I am currently visiting the hubs in St. Thomas, which is nice, and just trying to relax. I have worn myself out a bit, but am still here. Just to give you the heads up.

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Updates

Hi all! Things are still moving a bit slowly for me here in Florida, but I think I finally have time to do more science posts. I have been looking at my schedule and I think I can work in a few posts a week now from Mom's laptop. I may steal her digital camera for a bit as well. This is a great area for birds and the like and there are a lot of native plants I could really do some posts on as well. I also finally got my camcorder and have a few opportunities to record some stuff. I have been riding the Pinellas Trail a bit and should be able to come up with something on my rides to and from the shop. I finally saw my first Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. I also saw two different Battus species. This is very exciting for me. Now I have to chase them down and attempt to take pictures. Many of the others I have come across are also native to St. Thomas so nothing new, but I am really excited about a lot of what I have seen.

Things at the deli seem to be getting into a steadier pace. We have more than a few "regulars" now which is always nice. The menu is coming along and we have added soup. Our house soup will be a tomato basil that is absolutely delicious. I promise that it is very unlike tomato soups you may have had in the past. We have coffee and tea service as well and our daily specials are finally gaining popularity. We are also working on game nights and things of that nature to bring in people after work. Scrabble is definitely at the top of the list!

Besides that, there isn't too much to talk about. I did get to see the hubs this past weekend, which was nice. It was hard when he left again, but I know this will all work out. I also found out that there is a botanical gardens close by and the best part is it is FREE to visit. I smell a video along the lines of the Viscaya one brewing! Probably better quality by now. You would think, at least, considering that was my FIRST video on this site! Well, I hope you all are doing well. Now that I have worked out a somewhat workable "break" break into my day, I will begin stopping by all of your blogs more regularly again. Have a great week!

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Indoor Air Quality

I have been so NOT on my normal schedule that I didn't even get to do my 5 Minutes for Going Green post last month. Well, I did one this month and it's up to read. It's about indoor air quality. IAQ (indoor air quality) is one of the leading environmental risks. In fact, the:

Environmental Protection Agency has identified indoor air quality as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health...More than 50 percent of Americans are not aware that poor indoor air quality is one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. And nearly 25 percent of Americans are not concerned about the air quality in their homes and the impact it can have on their family’s health.

To get some tips on what you can do in your own home about your IAQ, check out my post or visit the EPA website.

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Hi from Florida!

Ok. So now the secret is out. I am in Dunedin, FL. I arrived May 5th to help Mom. Mom has a deli. Blogging still being cut short due to lack of computer. It should be here soon. As will Floyd. I hope. Hugs to you all!

P.S. don't forget to sign up for my giveaway. I will do a drawing on the 10th at 5 pm EST.

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Happy Bloggiversary!

Today is the day. Potspoon! is officially 1! In honor of this momentous occasion, I am having a giveaway!!!!!!! Lucky for you, it isn't something too horribly science related. Unfortunately, because of things that are going wacky in real life, I have no pictures of good quality. They are cell phone picts. Sorry. I can give a good description so here goes.

One lucky winner chosen randomly will win either one of my unique hand painted canvas totes- perfect for groceries and the like- or one of my super mini paintings! The bags are about 15" square and the mini paintings are 2"x2" to 3"x3" in size and include a mini easel. Some examples follow below.

This is an example of a mini painting on a mini easel. You can find other examples here.

These are bags I have done for various things. Again, designs vary.

Ok, now for the rules. Just leave a comment describing your favorite post of the past year and why. Only one comment is eligible. Also, sorry to many of my overseas readers, but because I am in the process of moving (yes, I finally admitted it) I can only ship to the US. Territories as well. I know what it's like since I live in the USVI and people forget we count! Next Sunday (fingers crossed) I will use a random number generator (NOT random.org since I have many of my own) to select one lucky winner. I will then post Monday with the results and give the lucky winner info on how to contact me. Feel free to leave any other comments you would like as well, just know that I will number only the comments eligible. Good luck and thanks for sticking with me this past year!

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Pseudo-Hiatus!

Ok ok... I have been really trying hard to avoid this word, but it appears I may have to be honest with all my bloggy buddies. The next 2 weeks are going to be a big (BIG) struggle for me. I really have been trying to post more, but it is hard and there is a really good reason for it. I can't divulge the details right now, but it's a really REALLY dramatic change and even though it has nothing to do with the blog, it is still having a serious affect on my time. Yes, I know I still have time to go to the beach, but that is different. That is super valuable Nick and Mimi time. I hope you all forgive me for being a slacker... especially on the cusp of my one year bloggiversary.

By the way, I will have something exciting planned for May 3rd. Potspoon!'s birthday will be celebrated, even if nothing else goes up. I will still post (I hope), but sporadically. And my next COPD post is almost done. Again, I just really want to get all the info in there and with not too much time I am going between an elementary book and a post-doctoral dissertaion in my writing style. Not good. Ay, me.

Pretty much (as if it weren't obvious), my posting frequency will be erratic. The posts will seem short. It's only temporary.

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Ah Wednesday! Part 2

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Ah Wednesday!

Hope you had a good one... I've picked up more shifts than normal but I haven't forgot my site. I will have a special science snippet post later! For now, enjoy a sunset with me via phone...

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