Vampire Bambi?

With its fangs hanging ready for action, the Kashmir musk deer reappeared last year in Afghanistan 60 years after its last sighting in1948.  Luckily these herbivores aren’t in search for blood.  A bite from one of their fangs would make a nip from Dracula seem painless!

These fanged bucks bare their teeth to impress hot does, and to fight off other deer.  Unfortunately, while the deer are looking for does, hunters are looking for them.  Their meat is a local delicacy.  Apparently they are worth over $20,455 per pound ($45,000 per kilogram), according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, on the black market.  Their scent glands are used for medicines and perfumes.  Because of destruction of habitat and poaching, the musk deer has become an endangered species, and like vampires, they are pretty darn hard to photograph.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Works cited:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2014/10/31/fanged-deer-pops-up-in-afghanistan-60-years-after-its-last-appearance/

http://www.livescience.com/48585-fanged-deer-sighting-afghanistan.html

The Skinny on Water

Did you know that water has skin? Well kinda!  Water has skin in a sense that a molecular layer is formed at the top of it.  “It is not really true that a "skin" forms on the water surface; the stronger cohesion between the water molecules as opposed to the attraction of the water molecules to the air makes it more difficult to move an object through the surface than to move it when it is completely submerged.” (http://water.usgs.gov/edu/surface-tension.html)  

This is called surface tension.  Surface tension is the force that causes the molecules on the surface of a liquid to be pushed together and form a layer.  This layer or skin is what allows water to bead up and turn into drops. It also allows water to be filled up above the rim. Water is only second to mercury in having the greatest amount of service tension.  Small objects will float as long as the object doesn’t separate the top layer of water molecules. Surface tension allows light weight insects like water striders to literally walk on water.  Jesus must have been pretty light on his feet! 

The next time you drink a glass water, pause to think about how very cool it is!  Happy hydrating!  

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com. 

Sit Down and Chill Out

Did you know that sitting down and chilling out at least once a day can help you live a healthier happier life?  Meditation isn’t a mystical thing.  It’s simply a continuous contemplation on something or absolutely nothing!  It’s quieting of the body and mind in order to reflect on self, the world around you, or spiritual matters. It’s good for you because it can:

•  lead to a deeper level of physical relaxation
• enhance energy, strength and vigor
• bring body, mind, spirit in harmony
• build self-confidence
• help with focus & concentration
• increase creativity
• increase emotional stability
• increase ability to solve complex problems
• provide peace of mind, happiness and deeper understanding of yourself and others 

There are many ways to meditate.   You can sit down, quiet yourself, and use your imagination or you can focus on something while you relax and breathe.  You can listen to soothing music, pray, think, or just be still.  Do whatever makes keeps you calm and quiet.  Taking time out to free yourself of stress can increase your lifespan and raise you happiness meter.  So take a seat!

To learn more about Violette, visit www.violettemeier.com.