Today we are going back to last Saturday to view the Witches Ride. Lakeway Parks and Recreation sponsors this event, which features a parade and carnival. All Day Pizza of Terrytown is catering. Our entertainment is (of course) The Eagles. (Suggested by Marc Anthony)
A busy Saturday ahead. Need to get everything done by 11:00 am for the TCU/WVU football game. The Producer graduated from WVU, so we enjoy the games. My team, Notre Dame, is on a bye this week. A touch of the two coffee icon starts the flow of soothin’ syrup that will kill this peckish pounding in my head. It’s like the stamp forge at the Ford Motor Rouge plant, from my dangerously low caffeine level.
The first sip quells the factory noise and vibrations. The second sip, as we all know, is accompanied by the cacophony of the Westminster Chime doorbell, in tandem with the St. Louis-bound baying of Cerberus, a multi-headed hound from Greek mythology that guards the gates of hell, in the form of Twiggy and Tempeste.
A quick toss of a couple of toy fish into the soundproof room, followed by the door slamming, brings back the peace George Harrison envisioned in the song “My Sweet Lord.” A glance at the monitor shows Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent and his pal Beany. Beany has an envelope and a clipboard. The security system shutdown process is begun.
The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.
Beany hands me the envelope and clipboard. Once signed, it goes back to Beany with a fiver in the clip. Cicil gives me a big smile, and the front door closes. Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ends with ‘ish.’” Find or make up a word that ends with “ish” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy! To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/10/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-24-2026/
Great for frying, perfect for your skin, and irreplaceable in a ketogenic diet, coconut oil is a wonderful product. In the future, it may even power our passenger aircraft.
Chemists in Japan recently ran extensive experiments to see whether they could create sustainable aviation fuel from coconut oil, and they not only succeeded, but also outperformed existing biofuels across several metrics.
Compared with the high pressures and intense heating required to synthesize sustainable aviation fuel from existing biofuel feedstocks, the chemists’ co-solvent method produced an aviation-compatible fuel at room temperature and pressure, with lower heat input.
This minimized the fuel’s carbon footprint even before the researchers cut it with kerosene, poured it into a micro jet engine, and set it on fire to see what would happen.
The ultimate tests—how the mixture performed in the engine—showed “thermal efficiency… comparable to that of pure kerosene.” One drawback in pure performance metrics was slightly higher fuel consumption because coconut oil ignites at a lower temperature.
In terms of the emissions profile, the largest observed improvements over kerosene were reduced unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Called UHCs in the industry, or sometimes VOCs (volatile organic compounds) they include substances like butane, and result from incomplete fuel combustion and fuel vaporization.
Their formation depends heavily on the aircraft’s state. When the aircraft is taxiing or idling and engine temperatures are lower, it releases UHCs in much greater proportions, but these emissions were reduced by 5-40% depending on the amount of coconut fuel added, with larger amounts of biofuel resulting in greater reductions in UHC emissions.
CO2 and nitric oxide levels remained consistent with kerosene regardless of the blending ratios, which ranged from 10% biofuel-90% kerosene to a 50-50 blend.
The coconut biofuel really proved compelling in its production process: the co-solvent method. Here, they used coconut fruit discarded during commercial oil extraction, combined it with 10% acetone and an alcohol (either methanol or ethanol), and processed it first at room temperature, then at temperatures below boiling.
The process also produces glycerin and biodiesel as byproducts, while the acetone and alcohol reagents can be recovered and reused.
The team from Osaka Metropolitan University described their work as the first-ever experiments to create biofuels from coconuts and test them in a jet engine. They believe more research is needed before they can commercialize the process, mainly because they observed increased carbon monoxide emissions when the biofuel was blended with jet fuel, which could harm ground crews.
The good news is that this could be an acceptable, sustainable alternative to jet fuel that may reduce unburned fuel contaminants. Today’s JohnKu talks about perseverance. I hope you have a terrific weekend.
Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 93 and closed my eyes. I pointed to the page, and the word “fodder” was closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.
“I’d say we are going to have a tough time, General.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, the terrain is not conducive to cover, for one thing.”
“And?”
“That open field will be tough to cross without being seen.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“We are going to take a lot of casualties to get to the objective.”
“Is there a way to reduce those?”
“Short of sending a phalanx to act as cannon fodder to save the rest, I don’t see how.”
“So you think sacrificing troops upfront could save the rest?”
“Well, sir, there is only so much spray in that can. If I know the enemy, he will panic at the sight of thousands of bees, drop the can, and run. Of course, this will be after he tries to defend himself.”
“I think that may work. What’s to guarantee he won’t return?”
“There is no guarantee, but next time we’ll be ready”
This week marks the anniversary of the first successful parachute descent made by André-Jacques Garnerin, who jumped from a balloon at some 2,200 feet over Paris in 1797. This post ran first on October 21, 2019
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Parachute Jump in 1797.
10. If you go to the jump, do not ask André-Jacques if you can go tandem. If you do, at best, he’ll laugh you off. At worst, he will think you are trying to steal his thunder. (That glove slap to the face means you better start practicing your swordsmanship, Jarl. Of course, you could pray he forgets about it. Likely? Not.)
9 If you go to the jump, do not try to convince Tiny the WWF champ that you can take over holding his balloon tie-down ropes. If you do, at best, Tiny won’t understand your request. At worst, Tiny, who has skipped the last seven anger management group sessions, will not give you the rope without a fight. (You better worry about that rope around your ankle, Jarrad. Your weight isn’t enough to keep the balloon on the ground. So as you dangle from one leg at 2000 feet, you might contemplate this. Does Tiny really know how to tie a knot that holds?)
8 If you go to the jump, do not start taking bets on whether or not old André-Jacques will make it. If you do, at best, André-Jacques will not find out about it. At worst, André-Jacques’ brother will bet he won’t. (Now you’ve caused a family incident, Jarran. Here comes André-Jacques now. I see he has a glove in his hand. Might be time to go.)
7 If you go to the jump, do not offer to pack André-Jacques’ chute. If you do, at best, he will ignore you. At worst, he’ll let you do it. (Funny how that thing looked like a trail of smoke when he let go of the balloon, Jarrell. The sad thing is, it never opened. Oh, well, there is always next time.)
6 If you go to the jump, do not ask André-Jacques to unfold your sweetheart proposal flag on the way down. If you do, at best, he’ll say no. At worst, he’ll agree. (Just your luck, Jase. At least four women in the spectator area are named Noelle. Good luck on the breach of promise lawsuits, not to mention the father’s blunderbusses)
5 If you go to the jump, do not ask the André-Jacques if he knows the color of his balloon. If you do, at best. he will be too busy to answer. At worst, he’ll think you are making a joke about his balloon. (As you may know, Jaspar, Frenchmen don’t take American jokes lightly. I don’t think he gets this one for sure.)
4 If you go to the jump, do not try to get André-Jacques to yell Geronimo when he jumps out of the balloon. If you do, at best, he’ll have no idea what you are talking about. At worst, he’ll think you are joking, too, Jaxon. Don’t look now, but that guy in the top hat is the second coming to ask which weapon you would like to use. Here’s a hint. Tell him death by pillows.)
3 If you go to the jump, do not suggest that André-Jacques should have his parachute made out of silk by Hermes. If you do, at best, he will assume you don’t know what you are talking about. At worst, he will place an order for the parachute. ( Now you are in a pickle, Jaydee. You didn’t know Hermes was founded in 1837. How will you deliver a parachute tomorrow when the manufacturer won’t be in business for 40 years? You got any silkworms?)
2. If you go to the jump, do not ask André-Jacques to wear your Go Lafayette sweatshirt for the stunt. If you do, at best, he’ll decline. At worst, he will accept your gift. (Given the angst around supporting the American Revolution, that shirt could cause a definite crowd reaction, Jayme. I’m not talking positive either. Can you say Guillotine?)
1 If you go to the jump, do not ask for an order of French fries at the local food tent. If you do, at best, you’ll get a thicker, fried potato. At worst, the order taker won’t understand you and will alert the chef. (Here we go, Jayson. You got the big guy with the butcher knife all hot and bothered. I would hit the road if I were you.)
Today we are cruising the neighborhood to view Halloween decorations. Our brunch is being catered by Le Politique of Austin. Our entertainment is Warren Zevon
Menu
CROQUE MONSIEUR Griddled ham & comté cheese sandwich, sauce mornay, Dijon + add a fried egg
STEAK FRITES 10oz grilled Texas ribeye, red wine herb butter, fries, sauce béarnaise
Thinking of the pitch made by the guy selling the coffee machine. He said, “It will anticipate your needs before you know them.” It is a wonder, then, why the touchscreen remains dark. My need is a cup of coffee, and if the machine knows that, why not deliver? In desperation, the machine is given a good thump, and like magic, comes to life. Say what you want about technology, sometimes the old methods work best.
The first sip calms the drum line beating of the Fightin Irish marching band in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The second (as we have come to know) is accompanied by the Westminster chime of the doorbell in duet with the “To St. Louis” barking refrain of Twiggy and Tempeste. A quick toss of two new toys into the soundproof room, followed by a slam of the door, brings a kind of hush over my world.
A glance at the security monitor shows Daffy Duck on the porch with an envelope and clipboard. My knowledge of characters on the front porch means one thing: the security system needs to be shut down.
The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.
Daffy hands me the clipboard and envelope. Passing the clipboard back with a fiver brings a smile to Daffy’s face. One inside the envelope from Linda Hill has the following message: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pitch.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it the way you’d like. Have fun!
“Well, you got the prompt out of the way pretty quickly.”
“Yeah, was rather proud of that.”
“I thought you would go to a sports theme.”
“Why’s that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You know, like, Ten Things Not to Do on the First Pitch of a Baseball Game.
“You know, I’m not a big sports fan. When I was a kid, the Detroit Lions and Tigers scarred me for life.”
“Scarred how?”
“They never won.”
“Oh, I see. So winning is everything?”
“To a kid? Yes.”
“Well, we are winners today.”
“Yeah, how?”
“You know that Okragly guy?”
“Of course.”
“He found us a terrific Uber.”
“Where is it?”
Right over there.”
Image courtesy of Tom Okragly
“What is that?”
“A Ruxton Front Wheel Drive luxury car came out in 1930, with only 96 produced. The Great Depression bankrupted the company, and it became defunct. Only about 40 were sold as new cars to customers; some were given to debtors, but most of them ended up in wrecking yards.”
Today’s good news story comes from the India Times and was submitted by our overseas reporter, Noelle Granger. Thanks Noelle
Meet Anika Puri, the 17-year-old Indian-American student who built a $300 AI system that spots elephant poachers with over 90% accuracy and won a $25,000 Davidson scholarship.
TOI Science Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / October 13, 2026, 20:00 IST
When darkness settles over a wildlife reserve, spotting a poacher from hundreds of feet up can be difficult, even with thermal imaging technology. For park rangers protecting endangered animals, a missed movement could have serious consequences. Anika Puri, an Indian-American student from Chappaqua, New York, set out to tackle this challenge with an unlikely combination of artificial intelligence, drone technology, and a closer look at how humans and animals move. According to a Society for Science report, her project, ElSa (short for Elephant-Savior), developed a low-cost system to identify potential poachers in nighttime drone footage. The innovation earned Puri a $25,000 scholarship as a 2022 Davidson Fellow, recognizing her engineering work and its potential application to wildlife conservation. Scroll down to read more about her journey. Turning curiosity into innovation. According to a Davidson Institute online release, Puri’s interest in technology grew from an early fascination with building, experimenting, and exploring new ideas.
From presenting a Lego Mindstorms robot at Maker Faire to developing an interest in drones and earning a commercial drone pilot license, she approached engineering as a way to turn curiosity into practical solutions. Her focus eventually shifted to environmental science and protecting endangered species. During visits to India, she was struck by the continued presence of ivory jewelry and statues in Mumbai markets, despite international efforts to curb the illegal ivory trade. The experience prompted her to investigate the scale of wildlife poaching and the technology being used to prevent it.
She discovered that drones equipped with thermal infrared cameras were already helping rangers monitor protected areas after dark. However, analyzing the resulting footage remained a challenge, the release explains.
Why traditional detection falls short
Drones monitoring wildlife reserves typically fly at considerable heights to cover large areas while working within limited battery life. At around 400 feet, people and animals can appear as small shapes in thermal images, making them difficult to distinguish accurately, the online release states. Existing detection systems often rely on analyzing individual frames and identifying objects by their shape. According to Puri’s research, these approaches could achieve accuracy as low as 20% in challenging conditions. Human operators watching hours of footage also risk fatigue and missing activity.
Puri approached the problem from a different angle. Instead of examining only what appeared in an image, she studied how objects moved over time. Reading movement through AI. The ElSa system uses machine learning to analyze spatio-temporal patterns in nighttime thermal infrared videos. These patterns include differences in speed, turning radius, and movement behavior, as well as whether an animal moves as part of a herd, adds the Society for Science report. By examining these characteristics across successive video frames, the algorithm aims to distinguish humans from animals more reliably than methods based primarily on static images.
When tested on the BIRDSAI thermal infrared video dataset, collected from four national parks in Africa, the system achieved 90.9% accuracy in detecting humans. The result represented roughly a fourfold improvement over the existing methods cited in her research. Although identifying a human does not automatically establish that the person is a poacher, the technology could help rangers flag suspicious activity for further investigation. Making conservation technology affordable.
Cost was another central consideration in Puri’s design. High-resolution thermal cameras can cost about $4,800, putting advanced surveillance technology out of reach for some conservation programs. Her ElSa prototype, built using commercially available components, cost around $300. This significantly lower price point could make automated detection tools more accessible to parks in Africa and Asia, where budgets and resources are often limited.
The project offers a glimpse of how artificial intelligence can be applied beyond conventional commercial uses, addressing challenges that affect biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
A young researcher with a larger purpose
For Puri, the Davidson Fellowship recognized a project that connected engineering to a cause she cared deeply about. Her work demonstrates how looking at a familiar problem differently can open up new technological possibilities. Wildlife protection requires trained rangers, effective enforcement, community participation, and reliable monitoring. ElSa is not a substitute for those efforts. Still, it points towards a future in which affordable AI tools could help conservation teams identify threats faster and direct their limited resources more effectively. Images Courtesy: Society for Science
The good news here is a young person took the initiative to improve existing technology. Today’s JohnKu talks about Initiative. I hope you have a super weekend.
Dear Readers. My blog’s look has changed because I was forced to switch themes to accommodate WordPress (Of Course). My old theme would not allow comments. I will be working to get it back to a more normal look. I had no notice and only knew about the change because a kind reader sent me a note
“Twiggy, wait up. Where are you going?”
“It’s a good day to be outside. Not too hot.”
“I agree. What are you looking at?”
“I’m not looking. More like feeling.”
“What do you mean feeling?”
“I have this feeling we are not alone.”
“Not alone? What are you saying?”
“Go over to the end of the fence and look around the corner.”
“Is this errand dangerous? What is over there?”
“I don’t think it is anything you can’t handle.”
“That doesn’t give me much comfort. Why don’t you come look?”
“I need to be your backup is why.”
“Okay, I’ve looked. There is nothing there.”
“Nothing you can see, you mean.”
“Nothing is nothing. What’s this all about?”
“I think we have had an interloper in the yard.”
”
“Well, you have me spooked enough. I’m going in.”
“Oh, come on. Like you said, it’s nothing.”
“Nope. I’ve learned that if you think it is something, it’s something.”
“Okay, I’ll confess. I was just getting you ready for Halloween.”
“Well, you did a good job of giving me the willies.”
“This is going to be a good year. You are so easy.”
Let’s go.
There’s the banner.
An announcement.
Happy Halloween.
Carnival games.
Bookmobile
Sweet drinks
Carasol.
Donuts
Shaved ice.
Jump set.
The dog in costume.
Unicycle and juggler
Great hair.
Bikes
Tiger on wheels.
Uncle Sam.
Leg-powered go-cart.
Scooter.
Characters
Cobwebs and thumbs up
Silence of the Lambs throwback. Hannibal Lecter.
Happy-go-lucky golf cart.
“Hey you Two. How about we try on some Halloween costumes?”
“Here’s the wizard look.”
“Now here’s one. Non, Je ne regrette rien.”
“This may be the one.”
“How about cupcakes then?”
“A “Devil and angel?”
Here’s a winner. A couple of sheriffs.”
“Boat captains?”
“The wizard of Oz looks good.”
Ohhh. I like this one. Bonnie and Clyde.”
“Since you are French how about a couple of macaroons?”
“Do you want to try a costume?”
Happy Pumpkin Family.
Looks like a dance contest.
Giant white spider
Big display
Giant black spider
Welcome.
This one is a DIY.
Nice snake..
Skelly sunbathing on a lion.
A major display every year.
Warthog, a thinker, and a bad hair job.
A nice fall display
Might want to be careful here.
Daughter’s tabletop display.
Candles that bleed.
A pack of skellies.
”
