http://stationsofthecost.posterous.com

Red-breasted Nuthatches move quickly over trunks and branches probing for food in crevices and under flakes of bark. They creep up, down, and sideways without regard for which way is up, and they don’t lean against their tail the way woodpeckers do. Flight is short and bouncy.

The Cornell University site also notes that Sitta canadensis is the only North American nuthatch with an eyestripe, and the only one with extensive rusty or cinnamon on the underparts. It has what is described as a “yank-yank” call which sounds like a tiny tin horn (Listen here).

Thus ends today’s ornithology session.

Apparently, further south, in the Land of the Free, a toboggan is something you wear, as in: “[She was] dressed in a toboggan, scarf and flannel-like jacket” (Associated Press).

Dressing in a toboggan was not something I had known about until today. However, here in the True North, Strong and Free, we would refer to such a knit hat as a toque (or tuque), which is apparently another unique Canadian term.

The wisdom of the masses at Wikipedia helped to clear up my confusion while admitting that “it is extremely confusing when people refer to a seasonal hat with the name of a specific winter sled” (Toboggan-Wikipedia).

I guess it is no surprise that those living in a land of long winters would come up with a few unique terms for items associated with the season.

CC Image courtesy of churl on Flickr

I’ll be the first to admit that my handwriting has deteriorated as I’ve spent more time with the keyboard than with the pen.  However, I do marking the old-fashioned way — spilling lots of (green) ink on the submitted papers and assignments — and hope that the students are able to read my scribbled comments.

It is obvious that keying (whether at your computer or on your phone) is corporeally different from writing by hand. But neuroscience is suggesting that it might also result in different cognitive skills:

Cursive’s flow works the brain differently and builds distinct cognitive skills. Handwriting reinforces reading and spelling, develops motor memory as it becomes automatic, teaches students to focus and may help them remember what they learn.

Neuroscientists know that the brain changes throughout life depending on how we use it.

As keyboards replace cursive, new neural pathways are created and new cognitive skills replace the old.

The quote is from Toronto Star reporter Andrea Gordon’s piece on “The Death of Handwriting” — part of her feature series, Disappearing Ink.

If the handwriting is on the wall for cursive, neuroscientists  fear that the cognitive skills that handwriting builds may be lost or, according to one psychiatrist, that our brains “will develop in a different way that no one has really thought through.”

That, of course, has implications for all of us, especially those who are engaged in the field of education.

Don’t let the irreverent comedy in this film sidetrack you from its provocative examination of the commercialization of Christmas, materialism,  over-consumption, globalization, and the business practices of large corporations.

Directed by Rob VanAlkemade and produced by Morgan Spurlock.

Watch the entire film now (Google Video) (91 minutes):

The newspaper article related this and more about the centre’s efforts and let readers know that they could support its conservation efforts. A tax-deductible donation allows you to “adopt” an owl, which means you get a picture of your adopted owl along with an official adoption certificate.

But, everyone who makes “a $100 donation receives a life-sized stuffed burrowing owl” (emphasis added).

I’m sure there is an important detail missing here that might involve the word “replica” or something similar.

Link: Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre helping the endangered animal (Regina Leader-Post)

In that regard, the video below is Dr. Joel Hunter’s musings on the question as to why social justice has become such a hot topic among Christians. Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland Church in Orlando, Florida, has been named by Grist Magazine as one of the top 15 religious environmental leaders in the world, along with the Pope and the Dali Lama.

Catalyst Voices – Dr. Joel Hunter, “Social Justice” from Catalyst on Vimeo.

I’ve encouraged my students to do the same.

Get it for your own desktop from the great collection of free wallpapers, themes, and icons at InterfaceLIFT.

In an under-the-radar quest to take over the world, introverts are now asserting (quietly and calmly of course) that they/we make the best leaders.

In her article, Why Introverts Can Make the Best Leaders, Jennifer Kahnweiler of Forbes magazine reveals five key characteristics that help introverted leaders succeed.

A quiet nod of the hat to Kruse Kronicle.