Okay, I'm sure just about everybody in the world has something better to do than look at microscopy images of fur I pulled out of my cat's tail this evening (don't worry, she has a lot to spare).

But, isn't this neat? Look at the structure? Look how part of it is white even though it doesn't look white in normal vision. And if I would have posted a full size shot of the capture, you would just see amazing detail in it.

I know it is fairly obvious when I think about it, but I'm just stunned at how complex things are. Like, for instance, this beetle wing:

Don't worry, it was dead near the window and had wings to spare.

I dunno, it is just neat to me.

I like the one that looks like it belongs in a David Lynch movie.

Caribou Coffee.

First, the place loses points because I can never remember how to spell caribou without two or three attempts.

Second, the options are fairly limited, at least at the one I go to in Silver Spring on unfortunate mornings when I find myself in Maryland. Scones, muffins. And always the same flavor, which makes me wonder if they are always the same muffins and scones day after day, week after week.

Third, I really don't mind Caribou Coffee. I'm a Starbuck's addict, I admit, but the straight coffee at Caribou tastes fine to me. Frankly, straight coffee at Starbuck's always tastes a little "too long on the burner" for my taste. I wish our area would adopt a Tim Horton's attitude of forcing a new pot every twenty minutes just to maintain freshness.

Overall, this falls into the "no other choice" category for breakfast, but there is some redemption for finding a decent cup of coffee.

It is kinda fun when the cats are so exhausted from the heat that they won't bother to fight having the camera stuffed in their faces.

It is hot. Nearly dangerous hot. Stay indoors hot. Deep in the month of August hot, only it is early June, with a forecast that indicates 7+ days of 90+ degree weather, closing in on 100 come Monday.

Birds are hot too. They fly around our deck and backyard with their beaks open, panting away, resorting to drinking water from either the dog bowl next door or from the rain water in my deck-planters leftover residue of the horrid storms we received a few days ago. I put out a tray of fresh water, thinking it may be more attractive than the stagnant algae-laden water from our tomato plants, and because birds on the deck amusingly piss off the cats.

So, I was in a meeting with folks who I had never met before, and when I pulled a notebook out of my bag, this magazine featuring a sweaty Henry Rollins popped out in front of everyone to see.

I suppose that either now, or eventually, most folks wouldn't be surprised.