T4 Bacteriophase under Electron Microscope

A bacteriophage is a virus which infects bacteria. In particular, the bacteriophage T4 is a virus which infects E.Coli, a bacteria that has been used extensively for molecular biology research. The bacteriophage T4 exemplifies the life cycle of viruses. It exists as an inactive virion until one of its extended 'legs' comes into contact with the surface of an E. Coli. Sensors on the ends of its 'legs' recognize binding sites on the surface of the host's cell, and this triggers the bacteriophage into action. The bacteriophage binds to the surface of the host, punctures the cell with its injection tube, and then injects its own genetic blueprint. This genetic information subverts the host cell's normal operation and sets the cell's biosynthetic machinery to work creating replicas of the virus. These newly created viruses escape from the cell and then float about dormant until one happens to come into contact with a new host cell.

Executive Colouring Book.

Copyrighted 1961, here are some pages from the very wry, Executive Coloring Book. It celebrates the idea that Americans fought in the war for freedom only to be forced to live in glass buildings and conform to the 'status quo'. 

Fungus and Sugar

My first tart au citron. Problems with the crust because this filling
is cooked in the shell not on the stovetop (which can curdle).

This is living with fungus: I got up and bathed. I went and got the material to upholster my living room wall. Then I came home and bathed. Then I went and got the wood I need to trim the wall. Then I came home and bathed. Then I finished the dessert above and set the table. Then I bathed. I like bathing and I am taking cool baths in this hot weather. But its a total drag.

Friday Noon

Well, off I go. Got my shopping done for cooking tomorrow and now I am embarking on a first: My fifth day in a row walking the seawall. I've walked at least eleven kilometres a day for a working week. I couldn't face another early morning walk, but Friday afternoons tend to be rather un-busy and I like that.

My New Ritual: Walking in the Morning

There were nine herons on a tiny island
in Lost Lagoon.

The dangling seed pods on this tree
in the West End are stunning.

Awesome!  This morning, I was out of the house at 7:30 to walk the seawall. Heaven! I tore over it and  got there, around it and home in 2 hours (taking the bus from Denman and Davie to Burrard and Davie). A record time. I was sweating and soaked when I got on the bus, still it is a beautiful time of day to walk. The scents in the air are strong; no one is walking; all the birds and otters are out and I am interesting to them because I am the first person of the day. And there is no noise. No arguing people, no angry bike riders on the path, no radios… just calm.

Then I went to lunch with friend, David. We went to the smoke shop and I bought all the paraphernalia to "smoke" oil. It is called dabbing and it is an awesome way for a non-drinker and person with lung disease to get high. I got a medical marijuana card and went to a marijuana dispensary (across the street if you don't mind). What a world!

Depends for Kids

Worse: They call him "Tubby."

I Have to Learn How to Do This