16Dec 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Diamond Dust Not From Diamonds – What’s That?

Meteorology, Transportation
[caption id="attachment_26565" align="alignright" width="480"] A halo produced by diamond dust. Image by Oimheidi[/caption]The words "diamond dust" are likely to bring to mind either very tiny jewels or the industrial grinding medium. However, there is another, entirely different kind of diamond dust. It involves weather. A Weatherman Speaks For a quick description, watch the first 1 minute 15 seconds of this 3-minute video... Sounds interesting? But what does DD look like? Diamond Dust - Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder This 26-second video shows DD falling in Japan... Diamond Dust: Filling in a Few Blanks Fog is a common occurrence. It's like clouds descended to Earth's surface. It consists of miniscule liquid water droplets coating particles of dust1. Diamond dust is somewhat similar in its description, except the droplets…
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13Dec 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Hazardous Black Ice – One Source You May Not Anticipate

Meteorology, Transportation
[caption id="attachment_26551" align="alignright" width="480"] It's night. It's foggy. Is it freezing fog?[/caption]Life is good. Nevertheless, dangers affect everyone - seasonal dangers. In Summer, we may face bees, snakes, rabid animals, poison ivy, deer on the road, chain saw incidents. To name a few. In Winter In winter, the elements become especially problematic. Something as beautiful as snow can sometimes kill. Blinding blizzards, excessive drifts, snow-blinded drivers, even avalanches. One particular danger is not so dramatic. In fact, it is downright sneaky. Black ice. Black Ice Black ice is not actually black, of course, but the word black suggests darkness. Darkness so deep a person with the best of vision can see nothing. One may go outside and fall or drive and have an accident, simply because he does not take…
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17Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

What is the Difference between Motor Oil and Grease?

Technology, Transportation
[caption id="attachment_15935" align="alignright" width="440"] Silhouette of working oil pumps on sunset background.[/caption] Lubricants are slippery substances that coat mechanical parts having tight tolerances so they can slide against each other with minimal friction. This is very important, since friction heats up the component parts, which lowers their lifetime. Sometimes oil may used to achieve satisfactory results. Sometimes grease is necessary. What is the difference between motor oil and grease? Oil Composition Refined oil is derived, as one would expect, from crude oil. Its composition varies due to the source of the crude as well as the processing needed to create the finished product. Oils are viscous, non-polar organic substances of biotic and/or abiotic origin. They do not readily adhere to other surfaces. That being the case, they afford a high…
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18May 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

A Senior Riding Amtrak: My Ironic Article

Transportation
[caption id="attachment_7248" align="alignright" width="480"] Amtrak traveling the countryside.[/caption] A handful of years ago, I wrote about my riding Amtrak from Charlottesville, Virginia to the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, where I met a friend. It was actually a very pleasant experience, though a bit adventuresome for me. I could not anticipate the tragedy that would occur in 2015 in that very city of "brotherly love." I resubmit my original article, below... What would go through your mind if this had happened to you? ---------- Are you a "senior" in your 60s, 70s, 80s or even older? Ever wondered what riding Amtrak is like? Take a virtual ride with me now, from Charlottesville, VA, through Washington, DC, to Philadelphia, PA. A good friend had a happy and important occasion he desired…
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