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  There are numerous articles, from Nature  to The Economist, about scientists being driven out of the United States with Trump's anti-science rhetoric and actions. This is a form of anti-intellectualism which we've seen in pretty recent history, used in totalitarian governments to repress political dissent. Research funding has been slashed, but there is one thing moving forward - a federal study of immunizations and autism.  It's already terrifying that RFK Jr. is the Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he's tapped David Geier, an antivaxxer and once disciplined for practicing medicine without a license, to lead the study. So yeah. This in the midst of measles outbreaks across the country. SUPPORT SCIENCE!

It is National Acoustic Soul Day, which is a celebration of India Arie's album but also the warmth and authenticity that acoustic music embodies. The day stands as an invitation to explore music that brings calmness, emotional richness, and a touch of spirituality to our lives. Soul singing is often rooted in African American gospel and blues traditions. The album was released 24 years ago today.

  Last night I learned about Ebenezer Creek, north of Savannah, Georgia. It looks to be a lovely place to canoe, but it may be haunted as well. It was December 1864 during the Civil War.  General William T. Sherman's "March to the Sea" campaign was in full effect, and General Jefferson C. Davis was advancing towards Savannah.  They had gained a following of freed slaves, what some considered "a growing encumbrance." A pontoon bridge had been assembled for crossing Ebenezer Creek, and as his men made it over, General Davis ordered the ropes cut. Over 600 freed men panicked in the waters, many drowned, and others were reached by Confederate soldiers who shot and trampled them.  Some of Davis' men did try to help and some trees were felled which allowed for some of the freedmen to create a crude raft.  Those who survived, however, were returned to slavery. There was public outcry at the time, and in January 1865 President Lincoln approved 400,000 acres of coast...

 Celebrated from March 20 through April 13 in Washington D.C. As you may know, the trees were gifts from Japan received in 1912. They line the tidal basin of the Potomac River leading to the Jefferson Memorial. Peak bloom is anticipated for this weekend. My photo is here in town though.  There are gardens on the UNR campus and San Rafael Park. There is a festival in San Francisco as well, April 12-13 and 19-20. Being on the west coast, where many Japanese Americans were interned, the purpose is more about a commitment to peace - in D.C. they symbolize friendship and cultural exchange.  Of course, being in Japantown, you will be celebrating culture in SF as well. Called sakura, it is the national flower of Japan.  They have been referenced for centuries in poetry and literature, with their fragility seen as a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.

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  This is Felis domesticus  Chester Willard, and he is a published researcher - along with physicist Jack H. Hetherington. In 1975, Hetherington was documenting results in the field of low-temperature physics. Upon review of his paper, it was noted that he had used "we" throughout even though he was the sole author.  So he added his cat as F.D.C. Willard. With his article now in Physical Review Letters , his office received requests to speak with Willard.  Once the truth was revealed, the physics community embraced it. Willard continued to appear in footnotes, where he was thanked for "useful contributions to the discussion." Hetherington is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University.  In 2016, he became interested in the artistic possibilities of representing mathematical functions and graphs.

  I always seem to have a daffodil for Spring, and that makes me happy.  ^_^ Happiness is gauged in a moment, and life overall. I have a quote from Sex and the City, which is based around a relationship but the point remains: "How often are you happy?" "Every day." "You feel happy every day?" "Not all day every day, but yes, every day." Sometimes you have to find the moment, and sometimes it may be a struggle, but Aristotle claimed it was the one thing we seek "in and of itself."  The pursuit of happiness. ❤️

  Originally opened in 1906, this was the first casino in the state.  Gambling was allowed until 1909, when it was outlawed in Las Vegas - until this day in 1931. At the beginning of the Depression, Nevada's mines were in decline and the economy was in shambles.  In response to population flight, the state legislature decided to legalize gambling, followed by divorce in 1932. Sin City came to be! The first casino in Reno opened in 1935.

  If you remember from earlier this month, Jackie and Shadow had three eggs, and all three hatched. However, after a serious storm this weekend, one of the eaglets did not survive. The log reports that they both treated the chick with care in their process of releasing and letting go.  First being moved from the nest bowl to the side before mom flew it off. Nature is beautiful, and painful.

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 Chronic pain conditions occur more often in US adults than other prevalent conditions like diabetes and depression.  About 1 in 5 adults live with chronic pain. Scientists have recently developed a synthetic cannabinoid that keeps the pain-relieving properties of cannabis without being psychoactive - or addictive, like pharmaceutical opioids. The team designed a molecule that is positively charged, which prevents it from being able to cross the blood-brain barrier.  This means it cannot bind to its target cannabinoid receptor (CB1) in the brain, but can act on cells in the rest of the body. Studies on the compound, known as VIP36, shows the effect persists without showing signs of tolerance. This is the kind of important research NIH grants help support. Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Initiative

 First up, we checked out Kyle Hot Springs. Somebody built an awesome tub here. Next, Hubby wanted to see if Wall Canyon was frozen over. And we stayed for the night. Bowie likes to look out on the water, whereas Mighty is waiting for fish.