Female Dragonflies Fake Death to Avoid Sex

In order to avoid males of the species bothering them for sex, female dragonflies fake their own deaths, falling from the sky and lying motionless on the ground until the suitor goes away. A study by Rassim Khelifa, a zoologist from the University of Zurich is the first time scientists have seen odonates feign death as… read more

Goodye, Undistinguished Friend

Sometimes, when you take a superficial look at things, you really don’t see the beauty.

I have to admit that while I’m not a real glossy person in life and while I’ve never been one to look for thrills or seek to stand out, I do like stocks that have character.

In a perverse way, I think that I may even like stocks that treat me poorly.

There is probably a name for that sort of thing and there is probably a diagnosis that goes along with the propensity to get some joy out of misfortune.

In case you don’t know the term, it is Schadenfreude.

This week, though, it was a different Germanic word that came to mind, as I marked the end of an almost 2 year association with the shares of Weyerhaeuser.

During that time, I never really even learned how to spell its name without having to look it up, even as “Schadenfreude” comes as second nature. read more

Statue of Jackie Robinson unveiled at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES — After all the lovely words had been spoken, the blue curtain raised, and the majestic statue of Jackie Robinson unveiled, his daughter reflected on a day she called powerful and inspirational. “It was wonderful,” Sharon Robinson said, “to share that with Mom.” Rachel Robinson is 94. She celebrated Saturday by sharing stories with… read more