Summer Camp

Dudeboy just returned from his first boy scout summer camp. He was a little homesick at times. And he did not particularly like the early wake-up times. And he was a bit critical of the food, but over-all he seemed to have a big time.

The inside of the tent Dudeboy shared with four other scouts . . . this shot is actually after they had picked up a bit!

Backyard Bugs . . . Lacewings & Fairy Flies

Since Dudeboy is away at camp, I thought this would be a good time to put up a few more insect pictures. The first couple of photos are of a woolly aphid that flitted about us just before a storm.

For apparent reasons, they are sometimes called "fairy flies"

Green Lacewings are used as "biological control agents" . . . meaning they (more specifically its predatory larva) kill pest insects. As this site puts it, "they have a very big appetite and essentially suck the fluids from the body of their prey with large pincers."

The Brownie

Dudeboy is now a brown belt . . . which is considered to be the beginnings of the advanced student level. We are really proud of his achievement and effort.

Kyung nae . . .

The End is Nigh

This is it . . . The Heat of the Moment, for on Friday the 10th the Australia and Oceania (the final) retake is due. For those who took the retest for Asia, there was an average increase of 25.5 percentage points. Awards and certificates will soon follow. Only Time Will Tell who will reign as the Sole Survivor. Don't Cry if you are not the über-geographer . . . because all of us can now Go and proudly exclaim that we have a better grasp of world geography than most other . . . ok, I have to stop this now.

Lay on, Macduff

Dudeboy and I joined Uncle Vic and Uncle John at the Glasgow Highland Games. It was not as good as it has been in recent years, but we did get to see Albannach. Dudeboy got all the members to sign their newest cd for him. Despite the heat, we had a big time.

Albannach . . . "not just another Scottish 'Pipes & Drums' band."

The Dudeboy and Jamesie of Albannach . . .
**Update** Geez, what is this world coming to? It has just been reported that Jamesie is recovering at the University of Louisville Hospital from wounds received from an altercation with a "fan" after the games had ended. It is getting harder to defend our state.

A Decent Docent

This afternoon Dudeboy got to be a Junior Docent for the day at the Hermitage in Nashville. While it was hotter than Hades at "Old Hickory's" place, he later got to cool off in a pool with fellow homeschoolers the Fetters.

Here is Dudeboy at his station . . . the log cabin Jackson lived in before he had the Hermitage built. This is where he was living at the time of the Battle of New Orleans.

On the steps of the mansion.

Photos from friends . . . another perspective

Here are a few photos taken by friends who joined us on the Red River Gorge trip.

Arch hunter extraordinaire Bill P. took this photo of Dudeboy and me at an arch that overlooks Frenchburg.

Dudeboy about to sample a bit of the throw-down Keith put on . . . it was fairly meat intensive.

Allen D. took these next few photos of our belay adventure to a hard-to-get-to arch.

Kingdom of Fife Film School . . . May

Here is the tenth installment of the Kingdom of Fife Film School. These are the films Dudeboy watched during May with his ratings.

• Zelig 10 stars [1983; US; watched 5.31.11]
• The Conspirator 9 stars [2011; US; watched 5.26.11]
• The Ghost and Mr. Chicken 8 stars [1966; US; watched 5.25.11]
• Art21 Season 5 4 Episodes 8 stars [2009; US; finished 5.25.11]
• Time Bandits 9 stars [1981; UK; watched 5.14.11]
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice 8 stars [2010; US; watched 5.8.11]
• Horse Feathers 9 stars [1932; US; watched 5.7.11]
• Westworld 7 stars [1973; US; watched 5.4.11]