Verna and Bob's Weblog

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Waxing Gibbous Moon and Craters

Clickable image: The image taken slightly past first quarter lunar phase makes craters near the light to dark region more pronounced. Leo-AI explains:

Lunar craters are depressions on the Moon’s surface formed by asteroid, meteoroid, or comet impacts. They are a record of the Moon’s impact history, providing valuable information about the early solar system’s asteroid-pummeled past. The Moon’s surface is relatively preserved due to the lack of liquid water and wind, making it an ideal location to study impact craters.

During the first quarter phase, the Moon is illuminated from the right, making it visible from Earth. This phase is characterized by a half-illuminated Moon with a right half visible and a left half in shadow. Many notable lunar craters are visible during this phase, including:

  • Tycho crater: A complex crater with a central peak complex, terraces, and a flat floor.
  • Giordano Bruno crater: A complex crater with a central peak and terraces, formed about 10 million years ago.
  • Linné crater: A young simple crater, thought to be less than 10 million years old, with a smooth floor and a diameter of about 1.4 miles.

These craters are just a few examples of the many impact craters visible on the Moon’s surface during the first quarter phase. The Moon’s surface is constantly changing due to meteoroid impacts, and studying these craters helps scientists understand the Moon’s history and the early solar system’s asteroid-pummeled past.

August 31, 2025 by Astronomy Nerdliness Photography Something Shiny

Cactus Wren

One of our favorite local birds, the Cactus Wren, perches next to the seed block feeder in the back yard. Click on the image to view enlarged.

From the link above:

The Cactus Wren is a large chunky wren with a long heavy bill, a long, rounded tail, and short, rounded wings. The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in the United States and is similar in size to a Spotted Towhee.

The Cactus Wren is a speckled brown bird with bright white eyebrows that extend from the bill, across and above their red eyes, to the sides of the neck. They have pale cinnamon sides and a white chest with dark speckles. The back is brown with heavy white streaks, and the tail is barred white and black—especially noticeable from below. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are slightly paler and have a brown eye.

Unlike other wrens that typically hide in vegetation, the Cactus Wren seems to have no fear. They perch atop cacti and other shrubs to announce their presence and forage out in the open. They do not cock their tails over their back the way other wrens do. Instead they fan their tail feathers, flashing white tail tips.

August 29, 2025 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography Retirement

Shrimp Louie Salad

Well, this was quite the treat today for our usual Saturday (remember the Sabbath) feast. Verna prepared everything and I got to help with the peeling of the raw shrimp. It was a wonderful salad and rated five stars.   ★★★★★

The origin of the name “Shrimp Louie” is unclear, but various sources suggest that it may have been named after a popular chef named Louis Coutard in San Francisco. However, another theory attributes the dish to Louis Davenport, a hotel owner in Spokane, Washington. Additionally, some sources suggest that the name may have originated in San Francisco in the early 1900s, but the exact person or event behind the name is unknown.

Wherever it came from, it sure was good today.

August 16, 2025 by Food and Dining

Evening Cloudscape

We’re in Albuquerque, NM tonight.

Thunderstorms threatened to dump a deluge on us, but despite the ominous signs in the sky, the weather improved and no longer seems to be a problem.

We’re going to be back in Arizona tomorrow, and back home the next day after a more than a month on the road.

Photo courtesy of Verna – click to enlarge.

August 10, 2025 by Retirement Vacation

Unscheduled Stop Enroute

On our way from Charleston, SC, to our next campsite, we impulsively made an unscheduled stop at Buc-ee’s in Brunswick, Georgia. We stopped to let the dogs do their thing and for Verna to go into the store to do some limited shopping.

After the visit, we resumed our trip for the short remaining distance to our target.

From News4Jax:

Buc-ee’s celebrated the grand opening of its newest store Tuesday in Brunswick.

The massive gas station and convenience store is at 7156 Highway 99 off Interstate 95 (exit 42).

This is the third Buc-ee’s to open in Georgia, and the largest yet in the Peach State.

Visitors were lining up hours before the 11 a.m. grand opening celebration on Tuesday.

“We got here 50th in line, so we got a free Bucky‘s T-shirt and yeah, I’ll take it!” said Lane Anderson and Landen Wade.

They were excited to visit Buc-ee’s famous wall of beef jerky selections, and said they were thrilled to have the new store so close to home.

Ahead of Tuesday’s official opening, Buc-ee’s opened its doors Friday to show its appreciation to the Glynn County Police Department, Glynn County Fire Rescue and the Emergency Management Agency, and all the first responders in the community.

Click on the image to enlarge.

July 29, 2025 by Something Shiny Vacation

Avalon 1998

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