Barb Masinton

EggTober 2025/Submission Three ….. Days 17 – 24

October 25, 2025

October is ‘flying” by! It seems amazing how quickly my Inktober 2025 sketchbook is filling up with daily EggTober watercolor paintings of bird eggs. Week three is now complete, and the eggs of eight more breeding birds of New Mexico can be viewed below. As with Submissions One and Two, included are a few fascinating facts about bird eggs, this time with a focus on the eggshell.

In case you missed my first and/or second EggTober posts, and would like to catch up, click the following link(s) to read Submission One, and/or Submission Two.

A Bird’s Eggshell

At first glance, you may think all bird eggs are covered in a hard, solid shell. You would be right about the shell being hard, but have you ever taken a close look at the shell surface? The outer shell appears to have dimples, a bit like a golf ball. Those dimples are pores in the eggshell. Bird eggs are considered “amniotic” which means their eggs not only have a hard shell; they have a porous membrane to allow for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Also, an important characteristic of amniotic eggs is they resist dehydration, which is why birds can lay them on dry land. So, is the porous membrane sandwiched between the eggshell and the ‘egg white’ (albumen), and why?

In Submission Two, I noted that the typically oval-shaped bird egg is able to withstand the weight of the incubating parent(s); the shell having the strength and resilience to withstand external pressures which minimizes the chances of the developing embryo becoming deformed or suffering bone fractures. So, just how thick must an eggshell be, yet still allow the developing embryo to breathe?

What are the main functions of the eggshell?

The shell of an egg contributes to successful formation and development of the embryo, by providing protection, respiration and water exchange. The eggshell is also the major source of calcium for the development of high-calcium consuming organs, like the skeleton, muscles and brain.

But what we think of as the eggshell, is actually Eight Separate Layers (!) that stack together from the outside of the egg to the inside where layer eight meets the albumen. It’s through these layers that the embryo breathes.

These layers, from the outside in, are the Cuticle layer with Pores, Shell Pigment layer, Vertical Crystal layer, Crystalline Palisade layer, Organic Matrix layer, Mammillary layer with Mammillary Bodies, External Shell Membrane layer, and Internal Shell Membrane layer. These will be summarized below. I’m also compiling a more complete description of each layer and detailing their importance, which should be complete and posted before the end of the month.

But before taking a brief ‘look’ at the eight eggshell layers, I wanted to share a snapshot about their thickness ….. because, quite frankly, I couldn’t imagine how all those eight layers manage to fit!

Eggshell Thickness

Most bird eggshells must be thin enough for the chick to peck through when it hatches, but at the same time it must be thick enough to bear the weight of the growing embryo inside, and the weight of the parents incubating it. The thickness of eggshells varies among species and individual birds, but also among individual eggs laid in a clutch. Eggshell thickness is also influenced by factors like the bird’s age, diet, and where the measurement is taken on the egg. In general, bird eggshells are usually 5% thicker at the mid-section of the egg (the area called the equator) than the ‘bottom’ (the sharp egg pole) and ‘top’ (the blunt egg pole) ends.

To ‘illustrate’ how thickness varies by a few species, the egg of a Blue-tailed Emerald (a species of hummingbird that lays an egg with one of the thinnest recorded eggshells among all bird species) has a shell that’s 0.029 mm (0.0011 inch) thick. Compare that with an Ostrich egg, the largest egg with the thickest eggshell in the world, measures in at 1.92 mm (0.08 inch) thick. For many common species, like the Mallard, shell thickness is around 0.337 mm (0.013 inch); a domestic chicken eggshell varies from 0.33 – 0.36 mm (0.013 – 0.014 inch) thick.

It may be helpful to relate these small sizes in eggshell thickness to an average human hair, which can be anywhere from 0.06 mm (0.0024 inch), to 0.10 mm (0.004 inch) thick. I’m still amazed how an eight-layered eggshell happens!

Structure and function of eggshell layers: Cuticle layer and the Pores, Shell Pigment layer, Vertical Crystal layer, Crystalline Palisade layer

Cuticle (aka Bloom)

The Cuticle’s primary functions are to act as a physical and chemical barrier against invading microbes, protect the eggshell pores, and regulate the exchange of gas (Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide) and moisture (water vapor). The Cuticle also affects the egg’s wettability, which helps prevent water and bacteria from entering, and fine-tunes the eggshell’s appearance, including ultraviolet (UV) reflectance.

Eggshell Pores

The texture of the outer eggshell is due to the Pores that form openings in the Cuticle. Depending on species, there can be anywhere from 7,500 to 17,000 Pores covering an eggshell, most located at the blunt end of the egg (the top end where the air cell is located). Each Pore is connected to a Vertical Pore Canal that penetrates the next five eggshell layers, down to the External Shell Membrane. The shells of most bird eggs have simple, straight pore canals that widen slightly toward the openings through the Cuticle. The exceptions are found in swans and the ratites (the group with ostriches and emus), where their Vertical Pore Canals are highly branched. Covering the exterior opening of the Pores of all bird species (except pigeons and doves [hmmmm ….. wonder why]) are tiny plugs or caps, which may act as pressure-sensitive valves.

The Pores and their canals provide a critical passageway for gas and moisture exchange between the inside and outside world. This exchange allows the developing embryo to breathe by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Shell Pigment Layer

The Shell Pigment Layer serves multiple critical functions, including camouflage, thermoregulation, and protection for the developing embryo. The colors and patterns come from two main pigments, protoporphyrin (brown/red) and biliverdin (blue/green), and their function varies depending on the bird’s environment and nesting behavior.

Vertical Crystal Layer

The Vertical Crystal Layer provides mechanical strength and structural integrity. Its tightly packed, vertically oriented crystals form a dense, outer layer that protects the embryo from physical shocks, while also being integrated with the Palisade Layer (below) to form a tough, ceramic-like structure. This outer layer’s density and arrangement make it resistant to impact.

Crystalline Palisade Layer

The Crystalline Palisade Layer serves two primary functions: providing mechanical strength and regulating gas exchange for the developing embryo. This is a thick, mineralized layer, that forms a dense matrix of calcium carbonate crystals, and is critical for protecting the egg’s contents while also aiding metabolic processes (i.e. all the chemical reactions within the embryo that are essential for life).

Structure and function of eggshell layers: Organic Matrix layer, Mammillary layer with Mammillary Bodies, External Shell Membrane layer, and Internal Shell Membrane layer

Organic Matrix Layer

The Organic Matrix Layer plays a crucial role in controlling biomineralization, forming the shell’s microstructure, and providing antimicrobial defense. Consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans, this layer acts as a scaffold that controls the eggshell’s strength and protective properties.

Mammillary Layer and Mammillary Bodies

The Mammillary Layer and Mammillary Bodies form the foundation for the rest of the eggshell. Their primary function is to provide the calcium for the embryo’s skeletal development. This inner layer is composed of calcite microcrystals that dissolve easily, allowing the embryo to extract about 80% of its calcium needs before hatching.

This layer also helps during the “pipping” process because its globular texture makes it easy to crack and break through the shell from the inside. Pipping is the,process where the chick breaks through its eggshell to hatch. There are two phases during pipping: internal and external. Internal pipping is when the chick breaks through the Inner Shell Membrane Layer (see below) to reach the air cell and take its first breath followed by chirping! This first phase not visible from the outside and can take 12-24 hours. External pipping is when the chick uses its egg tooth to peck a visible hole or holes in the eggshell, a process that can take a few hours to a few days, requiring the chick to rest frequently… those outer layers of shell are hard. The long time due to the chick needing to rest This can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. The final step is “zipping,” where the chick turns in the egg, cracking the shell into two halves to fully hatch.

External Shell Membrane Layer

The External Shell Membrane Layer functions primarily as a barrier to protect the egg’s contents from bacterial invasion and to prevent moisture loss. This membrane is made of proteins and acts as the first line of defense after the Cuticle, preventing microorganisms from entering the egg.

Internal Shell Membrane Layer

The Internal Shell Membrane’s primary functions are to provide a barrier against bacterial invasion and to support the formation of the hard eggshell. It also helps prevent excessive moisture loss while allowing gases to pass through, a process that becomes more significant when the External and Internal Shell Membrane Layers separate to form an air cell.

Summary

Eggshells! I never knew they are such complex structures with many unique features. And eggshells are unfathomably critical to the development and survival of the embryo right up until the moment they “Pip” their way into the world. Without their bioceramic characteristics, microscopic pores, front-line bacterial defense systems, color patterns, and their surprising strength despite the shell’s thinness. birds might be something completely different or perhaps might not ‘be’ at all. Something worth pondering!

Hope you have enjoyed Submission Three of EggTober! If so, please leave me a comment. And as always, thanks for popping in!

p.s. Stay tuned for Submission Four, landing in your in-basket next week!

EggTober 2025/Submission Two ….. Days 9 – 16

October 16, 2025

EggTober progress continued, with zeal, as I worked my way through week two. See for yourself! Check out the bird eggs that randomly popped up from my list of nesting birds of New Mexico. As with Submission One, included are a few fascinating facts about the shape of bird eggs to go along with week two birds.

If you missed Submission One of my EggTober post and would like to catch up, click here.

Egg Shape

The typical oval-shaped bird egg isn’t coincidental. Evolution, influenced by factors such as bird genetics and environmental influences, produced a “smart egg;” a perfectly shaped package just right for survival ……..

October 9th and 10th

1. Structural Strength

The oval shape provides greater strength and resilience, reducing the likelihood of breakage during incubation. It withstands external pressure more effectively, minimizing deformation or fractures in the developing embryo.

October 11th and 12th

2. Optimal Space

The oval shape maximizes the volume available for the embryo, ensuring proper development and sufficient reserves of nutrients, including proteins.

October 13th and 14th

3. Temperature Distribution

The oval shape promotes the even distribution of heat. When a female bird incubates the egg, her body heat is utilized to maintain warmth. The egg’s oval shape aids in evenly disseminating her body heat, ensuring a consistent temperature for the embryo throughout the incubation process.

October 15th and 16th

4. Prevents Rolling

The blunt, flat end of the oval egg shape helps prevent rolling within the nest. This stability safeguards the eggs, preventing them from accidentally falling from the nest or assuming an improper position.

Summary

While most bird eggs exhibit an oval shape, slight variations in shape do occur among different species. These variations are influenced by the birds’ lifestyles and specific incubation requirements. Overall, the oval shape plays a vital role in the reproductive ecology and physiological adaptations of birds.

Hope you have enjoyed Submission Two of EggTober! If so, please leave me a comment. And as always, thanks for popping in!

p.s. Stay tuned for Submission Three, landing in your in-basket next week!

Native American Day/National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

^{October 13, 2025}

^{Today is the second Monday in October ….. a day to pause and honor the deep roots, rich cultures, and enduring spirit of the first peoples of this land. Native American Day celebrates the history, contributions, and resilience of Native American tribes all across the nation.}

^Yesteryears

^{Native American Day honors all Native Americans. South Dakota led the way, officially changing Columbus Day to}^{Native American Day}^{in 1990 after a “Year of Reconciliation” was declared by Governor George S. Mickelson. California soon followed. In recent years, the movement has gained national momentum. Many states and cities have chosen to celebrate}^{Indigenous Peoples’ Day}^{on the same date. Then in 2021, President Joseph Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for}^{National Indigenous Peoples’ Day}^{, marking a significant step in acknowledging and respecting the history and contributions of America’s first inhabitants.}

*^{Zentangle patterns: Pacpaw, Bilt, Keeko, Mogo, Amath, Tribal, Moonlite, Rain}*

^Present-day

^{Celebrating the second Monday in October is more than acknowledging the past ….. it’s a day to recognize the living cultures that continue to enrich our country’s tapestry. It’s an opportunity to move beyond stereotypes and learn about the diverse traditions, languages, and stories that have shaped this continent for millennia. Native American Day also highlights the efforts to revitalize and preserve hundreds of indigenous languages, each one a unique expression of culture and knowledge. When we celebrate Native American Day, we celebrate the incredible diversity of traditions. Instead of a single culture, there are hundreds of distinct nations, each with its own unique customs.}

^{Storytelling and Art Making}

^{Native Americans have a powerful storytelling tradition of oral history, where foundational stories, lessons, and legacies were and still are passed down through generations. Many of these stories of life and culture are told through artwork, from ancient pictographs (rock paintings) and petroglyphs (images cut into rocks by pecking, incising or abrading) created by the indigenous peoples that lived throughout America, the intricate beadwork of the Plains tribes, the iconic pottery of the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest, to contemporary painting and sculpture. Native art is a cornerstone of American culture.}

^{New Mexico Rock Art}

^{Images painted on and carved into rock that were used in ancient storytelling can be found throughout my home state of New Mexico. Many of these sites are protected and preserved by federal designation as National historic landmarks, National Parks, and by the Bureau of Land Management as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and as a significant part of our Archaeological heritage.}

^{Traditional cultures and customs continue to fascinate me, and in “drawing” attention to the important contribution rock art has and continues to play, I wished to shared some of the designs (symbols) created by Native American tribes indigenous to the 4-corners region of the Southwest, with focus on those found in New Mexico. The Kokopelli symbol, the dancing flute player, is a familiar and favorite character throughout the area and has many meanings tied to fertility and harvest. The symbol depicted shows Kokopelli with a hump in his back where he carries seeds ready for planting, while he plays his flute, a symbol of warmth. He also carries a sunflower disk flower (the ‘complete’ inflorescence) to display fertility, the Sun symbol for happiness, and several crop symbols designed by the Acoma, Hopi, and Navajo.}

A Kokopelli created in 2017 … on toned grey paper and colored with Prismacolors

^{The very first known Kokopelli images appeared on ancient Hohokam pottery, dating from between 850 and 750 C.E. The drawing of the Kokopelli petroglyph, in the bottom left of my panel, is inspired by one of these first images that was discovered near Embudo, NM.}

^{Ideas to Celebrate Native American Day …..}^{Learn, listen and engage by}^…..

^{.…. reading a book by a Native American author, such as Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie or Tommy Orange,}

^{….. exploring a museum or a state historic site to learn firsthand about the lives and history of the region’s tribes,}

^{….. purchasing authentic arts, crafts, and goods from Native artists, which directly supports and helps preserve their cultural practices,}

^{….. attending one of many community- or university-hosted talks, film screenings, or celebrations such as a powwow}

^{Thank you very much for stopping by!}

EggTober 2025/Submission One ….. The First 8 Days

October 8, 2025

Having participated in the Inktober for years by creating a daily drawing or painting throughout the month of October, I’ve found the challenge fun, rewarding, and motivating. However, rarely sticking to “ink only” creations and/or following the official prompts, I’ve shamelessly adopted a variety of approaches shared by others, have different media, or made up my own prompts. For me, this has added an elevated level of complexity that’s so appealing and somewhat wild!

In the past, my “Inktober” art has been about themes, like using a new Zentangle pattern a day that has a name beginning with “Q” or “Z” or “M” ……. or picking different botanical patterns. I’ve played with mixed media, watercolor, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, graphite, and (yes) ink to create a flower a day, rocks, mushrooms, candy, modes of transportation, the alphabet, fonts, portraits of famous people, etc. I’ve found the challenge is a great way to loosen up and try subjects I’m not comfortable or familiar with, while not worry about silly mistakes.

So, each year I look forward to Inktober, and this year was no exception.

This year I went way “out on a limb” and switched it up a bit.

This year I’ve named my personal 31-day challenge EggTober! And in keeping true with my love of nature, nature journaling and curiosity, each morning I’ll be randomly pick from a list of birds that nest in my home state of New Mexico and will draw one or several of of their eggs. 🥚

Here’s my progress so far and a few fascinating facts about bird eggs. At the end of my post, you can read about my process and materials used.

Did you know that two pigments are responsible for most eggshell colors: biliverdins, which make blue-green hues; and, protoporphyrins, which make the background hues of rusty yellows, reds and browns.

Eggshells that have markings like spots, blotches, speckles, or lines, have more protoporphyrins. These markings help camouflage eggs, especially those laid by ground-nesting birds.

The largest known bird egg belonged to the extinct elephant bird. This flightless bird, which stood about 10 feet (3 meters) tall and lived in Madagascar until the 18th century, laid eggs about 11 inches (28 centimeters) long. That’s about the size of an American football!

Bird eggs can be oval, to round, to pear-shaped, depending on the species of bird laying the eggs and where. Many sea birds nesting on cliffs tend to lay more pear-shaped eggs which helps keep them from rolling off steep ledges. It’s said that pushing one of those eggs, because it’s so heavy at one end, will cause it to spin in a circle.

Eggshells are largely made of calcium carbonate, and if hatched without their final ‘spray-paint’ of color, will look pure white to the human eye. But some white eggshells contain ultraviolet colors visible to birds. (Wonder why?)

Process and Materials

Of course, given that it’s Autumn, and impossible to find any active bird nests housing unhatched eggs, I’ve formulated Plan B. For my references I’ll be relying on digital natural history museum egg collections, on-line bird identification resources, fascinating facts about bird eggs, several key references from my personal library, and other sources, to learn and satisfy my long held love of birds, their incredible eggs, and the egg-laying process.

Staying as true to real life as possible, approximate egg shapes will be colored with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. For consistency, basic information specific to each individual bird species’ typical egg (clutch size, length and width, background (ground) color(s) and marking color(s) and patterns) will be included. For future reference, I’ve handmade a small booklet that will hold two species’ eggs/page. At the end of October, I’ll then add a title page, table of contents, and a list of references.

And finally, for now, it’s entirely possible that my process and materials may be changed on a whim! So stay tuned as EggTober unfurls!

If you are an Inktober participant, or have never heard of this month-long creative event, please let me know!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Switched the Midge!

A Fourwing Saltbush Gall Mystery Solved

September 30, 2025

If you’re a fan of weird twists in nature (like me), and enjoyed my November 25, 2024 post, “A Quirk of Nature: Fourwing Saltbush,” you may have lost many hours of sleep wondering how I could’ve missed such an obvious mistake! You know the one. The labeling error made when naming those cottonball-like insect galls hugging the Fourwing stems.

In my confusion (or wishing to cover all options?), I seemed to believe two different midge species were somehow responsible for the same gall.

Are they Rosette Bud Gall Midge galls or Fourwing Saltbush Wooly Gall Midge galls?

Decisions, decisions.

My Quandry quite clear, it was time to consult the experts.

A short 10 months later, confirmation arrived from the iNaturalist experts in all things “Fourwing.” All the puffy galls are none other than those made by Fourwing Saltbush Wooly Gall Midges!

And the answer to my question is well timed, as the stems of the female Fourwing shrubs are once again ‘heavy’ with Wooly Gall Midge galls. Now I know! Now you also know!

Enjoy this official correction, at long last, and wishing you sweet dreams.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

PS: My journal page was created by first sketching in graphite the two Fourwing stems, followed by outlining with loose ink lines from a Micron 005, adding a background of both soft and medium charcoal – blending with a stump, then using a Tombow Mono Zero eraser to clean up the ‘cottonballs,’ before adding watercolor pencil, color splatters, and eraser lines randomly placed through the charcoal background. A bit experimental, and lots of fun.

Floss is Flying 🪂 !

It Must be Fall …….

September 22, 2025

Like soft, fluffy snow! Glistening orbs of silky gossamer are floating about the neighborhood, drifting hither and yon in the gentle breeze. Suspended beneath each orb is a single reddish-brown winged seed that appears to coax its wind-propelled puff in a safe descent to the ground. But the white floss (the Coma) wants to fly, and it becomes a tug of war. As the weight of the seed overwhelms the ability (and the desire) of the floss to carry it, their brief relationship is severed. But both get their wish …. the floss flies free as the seed drops to the ground, hopefully landing in an ideal spot to overwinter and sprout next spring.

Welcome Fall!

When the air is full of Horsetail Milkweed parachutes and their ‘riders,’ I walk along the neighborhood roadways and collect a bounty of their new-crop seeds + floss to set free around our property. If they find the right soil, moisture, and light conditions for spring germination, the seeds will not only form the beginnings of a stand of these beautifully blooming, creamy-white milkweed flowers, but the plants might just play host to Monarch and Queen butterflies!

Now wouldn’t that be dandy!

(Of course, mature seeds from new plants will undoubtedly entice a hungry crop of well-dressed Milkweed Bugs next Fall. That’s OK! They have to eat too!)

My Journal Pages ……

For something different, instead of using ink and watercolor, all sketches on these pages were created in graphite. The pods, seeds and the milkweed bug were sketched from my collected samples using a mechanical pencil loaded with a fine point HB lead. The touches of color were added with water soluble graphite.

Thanks for stopping by ….. And Have a Fabulous Fall!

World Ampersand Day

Ampersand & and & and & and ………

September 8, 2025; posted September 16, 2025

Zentangle patterns: Spanders, Footlites, Diver, Lewe, Fifolia, Sprave, Qurtuba, Cloudy Day, Fission, Icantoo, Marbles, Soutache, Strutz, RowRow, Ping, FITA (Flies in the Air), Ease, Antique, Barberpole, ArcFlower, & Arrow Tree

Did you notice World Ampersand Day was more than a week ago? No worries! Although September 8th is the official day for this World celebration, such a fun & functional, curly & quirky little character, know as the “Ampersand,” deserves a party every day of the year! Don’t you agree?

The Symbol we use today for the ampersand is more than 2,000 years old! Designed by an Ancient Roman scribe around 63 CE, it served as the shorthand version of the Latin word “et,” meaning “and.” This ingenious calligrapher created the Symbol by combining the letters “e” & “t” into a single ligature or glyph, for the purpose of saving valuable time, space, & parchment while writing the voluminous & tediously-penned documents of the day.

Observation #1: if you refer to my drawing, top left, you’ll see how the evolution of the ampersand symbol changed over the course of a few thousand years, beginning with Figure #1, the 2,000 year old design.

Observation #2: unless the old Roman cursive “et” included exaggerated negative space before, after, and/or within, I’m uncertain how the symbol in Fig. #1 saved space? What are your thoughts?

The Word “Ampersand” didn’t emerge until the early 19th century (1837) as the shortcut to the commonly used phrase “and per se and.” Now that phrase-to-pronunciation of “Ampersand” may seem intuitive, the eventual slurring of the four words follows a more complex explanation that’s pretty interesting. Based upon a traditional English custom that involved spelling out loud, “any letter that could also be used as a word in itself (“A”, “I”, & “O“) was referred to by the Latin expression per se (‘by itself’), as in “per se A” or “A per se A” or “A by itself = A.” Following that tradition of verbal spelling, the single Ampersand glyph was verbally spelled aloud like this: “and per se and,” “& per se &,” or (much more helpful) “& by itself = and.” This clarification of “& by itself” was necessary so as not to confuse the more extended forms of the “&” in use, such as “&c.” which is one of the abbreviations for the Latin phrase “et cetera,” which, of course, means “the rest.”

Today’s Stylistic Ampersand Symbols

Today, it seems there are hundreds and hundreds of unique ways of symbolizing the Ampersand. A quick internet search of font styles reveals a different twist on the symbol for each font. Can you imagine what an extensive search of fonts would uncover?! But there’s one criteria that must be met, somehow, in designing each “&” …… it must be a ligature (a combination) of the letters “e” & “t” into a single glyph (character), & if not readily recognizable, the artist must be able to demonstrate the presence of both letters, no matter how abstract.

Used to be ……

Did you know the Ampersand used to be the last letter of the English alphabet? It’s true! The “&” was added as the 27th letter in the alphabet in the 19th century &, as such, was taught to children learning their ABCs. Primers written for ‘little folks,’ some novels, & even nursery rhymes recognized the “&” as an official character. One especially popular nursery rhyme, Apple Pie ABC¹, finishes with the lines “X, Y, Z, and ampersand, All wished for a piece in hand.” But sometimes good things come to an end. By the late 19th century, the “&” was accepted as a ligature it truly is, rather than a letter, & lost its place in the alphabet.

Celebrate every day by having fun with the Ampersand:

Use lots & lots of ampersands!
Substitute “&” for “and” in everything you write
Think of syllable replacements in words such as: &roid, c&elabra, b&
Send friends whose names contain “and” a special note — &y, &rea, Alex&er, Br&don, Gr&ma
Design new styles of ampersands being sure they represent the letters “et”
Count the number of ampersands in my drawing²

Well, Flambé doesn’t know about you, but she certainly had lots of fun learning about the Ampersand, & is kicking-off a campaign to have it restored as the 27th letter of the alphabet. After all, we lost Pluto as the 9th planet in the solar system, the Ampersand has almost been around as long as Pluto, & most importantly the “&” has the shape of her long lost best cat friend & lover, Cognac, who’s been on a planetary exploration for years, and has probably reached Pluto by now. Kat says, “Let’s bring back the Ampersand! All in favor, say, “and & and & and & and …..!’”

As always thanks for stopping by, & for voting because Flambé believes all voices must be heard on the issue of the deported Ampersand.

¹“ApplePie ABC” is a simple rhyme written to teach children the order of the alphabet by relating the various ways children react to an apple pie. After the first line, A was an apple pie, the rest of the letters refer to verbs.

“A was an Apple pie; B bit it; C cut it; D dealt it; E eat it; F fought for it; G got it; H had it; J joined it; K kept it; L longed for it; M mourned for it; N nodded at it; O opened it; P peeped in it; Q quartered it; R ran for it; S stole it; T took it; V viewed it; W wanted it; X, Y, Z, and &, All wished for a piece in hand”.

Note the absence of two letters; the vowels I & U. When the rhyme was originally written (sometime in the 18th century), there was no differentiation between the capital letters I & J, & between U & V. But in 19th century versions, when the I & U were accepted as distinct letters, the rhyme was updated to include these two lines:

“I inspected it” & “U upset it.”

²Spoiler Alert: Flambé & I each counted twice & agree …. you should come up with a total of 29 Ampersands in my drawing. If you also agree, Bravo! If you found fewer than 29, try again! If you found more than 29, send a message PDQ, letting us know how many there actually are & that we must’ve been sniffing too much catnip to count higher than 29! Then I’ll have Kat begin the scavenger hunt anew!

Zentangle patterns: Spanders, Footlites, Diver, Lewe, Fifolia, Sprave, Qurtuba, Cloudy Day, Fission, Icantoo, Marbles, Soutache, Strutz, RowRow, Ping, FITA (Flies in the Air), Ease, Antique, Barberpole, ArcFlower, & Arrow Tree

Shifts in Nature

August Littles ….. 2025

September 8, 2025

Ohhhhhh, what a sweet month …… August. It almost got away from me without sharing a small collection of Littles¹ that reflect the inevitable shifts in nature that occur during the month. It’s always hard to imagine summer winding down; where did the time go? But as surely as butter melts on freshly baked bread, undeniably, August forms a reliable bridge between summer and autumn. It’s a time of change and transition; abundance and harvest; transformation and a period of letting go.

So before I “let go” and before the snow flies (and it will), here’s a handful of little discoveries during the month of August:

-A female Wheel Bug gone slightly astray while searching for a protected place to overwinter the eggs she’s about to lay.

-A female Soldier Beetle doing her best to attract a mate by sending out pheromones while munching late season pollen from the disk flowers of a brilliant yellow Showy Goldeneye.

-An acorn that made it to maturity, ready to drop beneath a still green-leaved Gambel Oak soon to be decked out in radiant fall colors.

-Some hot red trumpet-shaped Scarlet Gilia flowers, still irresistible to hummingbirds until migration, will all be pollinated in time for seed set and mature.

-The snowy white fruit dangling from the draping branches of Roundleaf Snowberry shrubs are ripe and ready for plucking by hungry birds flying south for the winter.

-And plump purple-black Chokecherry berries that will become a juicy dietary supplement for black bears needing to bulk up for hibernation.

Enjoy!

And as always, thanks for dropping by!

¹“Littles” is part of a blog series I began posting several years ago, beginning in January 2023. The concept was inspired by Fay (thanks again Fay!) who came up with the idea for her blog madebyfay.wordpress.com

If you’d like to read more of an explanation, check out my January 2023 post, Winter Birding on Sedillo Hill

NATIONAL DIATOMACEOUS EARTH DAY

Part 1 – Diatomaceous Earth

August 31, 2025

On August 31, National Diatomaceous Earth Day recognizes the diatom and the remarkable mineral it creates!

Have you ever heard of Diatomaceous Earth (DE)? If you answer “yes” then perhaps you brew your own beer, have a swimming pool in need of water filtration, or a vegetable garden that’s been invaded by a herd of hungry slugs. But did you know DE is a mineral¹ composed of the fossilized remains of single-celled, microscopic algae called Diatoms? (More about diatoms in an upcoming post.) DE is truly a remarkable mineral, found around the world in ancient marine and lacustrine (freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers) sedimentary deposits.

Early Discoveries and Uses of DE

The year was 1836; the place, Northern Germany …… One day, a peasant named Peter Kasten was sinking a well when he encountered a mysterious-to-him layer of rock. Curious what this soft powdery rock might be, Pete took a sample to a friend who was a friend of a friend learned in the science of geology. This geologist carefully examined the rock then exclaimed (in German, of course), “Why this is the much prized and never-before-seen-in-Northern-Germany mineral known as Diatomaceous Earth! It has remarkably unique abilities to absorb, filtrate, polish, and stabilize! These qualities make Diatomaceous Earth (aka Diatomite) valuable and much sought after by numerous industries!”

Well, word spread and immediate exploration of the area commenced. It wasn’t long before numerous substantial deposits of lacustrine DE were discovered; some up to 92 feet thick! Extraction began in 1863. Until WWI, these sites comprised the world-wide production of Diatomite. Mining these deposits ended in 1994, when all of the DE deposits had been extracted.

But long before Pete’s discovery, Ancient Greeks used DE as an abrasive as well as a building material in lightweight bricks. Even in pre-historic times, DE was used in the ice-age cave paintings in France.

DE Deposits and Extraction – Worldwide

When diatoms die and fall to the bottom of marine and lacustrine waterbodies, they form large deposits. Over time, the organic portions of the diatoms weather away, leaving behind their hard silica shells. These remaining shells, called Frustules, with their opaline-like quality are what forms DE. Some of the largest deposits in the U.S. formed in ancient lakes that existed in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. They also formed in oceans and occur along the coasts of North and South America.

Since WWI, exploration for and discovery of numerous DE deposits have occurred worldwide-wide, and are still on-going. Large mining companies have unearthed and continue to extract this mineral in substantial quantities, which is processed for use by industries that manufacture products for home and business (more on that below). DE deposits are (or have been) mined in many countries around the world, including the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Peru, France, Spain, Denmark, China, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Spain, Turkey, Libya, Russia, Mozambique, Ireland, and France. Today, the world’s largest DE mine, Colado Mine, is located just outside of Lovelock, NV, and has been in operation since 1959.

DE’s Modern Uses and Values

Today, DE is one of the most useful and durable substances known. The white to off-white powdery rock that makes up the more than 1 million year old DE deposits, is used in many common products likely encountered every day. One nearly universal use is in the filtration of liquids like the beer, wine and water. DE is also used to filter water in swimming pools, and to clean grease and oil. DE is used as an absorbent for hazmat spill control and in some kitty litters. As a filler in paint, it removes the sheen making flat paint flat; in plastics, it prevents blocking in plastic film. DE is used as an aggregate in construction, particularly in Portland Cement. And the list of specialty items that use DE for a variety of purposes is very long ….. including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, art supplies, in the medical industry for DNA extraction, as a non-toxic insecticide, soil amendments, in bath mats for quick drying, in toothpaste as an abrasive, and as food additives to control moisture and extend shelf life. There are hundreds of other applications for DE with many more yet to be discovered!

But the biggest use of DE is in filtration. In 2023, the beverage industry paid $720/metric ton for processed food-grade DE (amount used to filter a keg of beer??). Compare that cost to $10/metric ton charged in 2023 for lightweight aggregates used in construction (wonder if or how tariffs impacted the 2025 cost?), or the $1000/metric ton charged for some specialty items.

Ideas on How to Observe Diatomaceous Earth Day

Discover more about DE, and learn about its common uses around your home or work.

Read product labels to learn what you use on a daily basis that contains DE.

Consult the fda.gov website to learn more about labeling.

Visit a Diatomite mining operation.

Learn about unmined deposits near where you live.

Use a magnifying glass or microscope to inspect the contents of bag of insecticidal DE.

Stay tuned for NATIONAL DIATOMACEOUS EARTH DAY – Part 2 – Diatoms! They are ultra-fascinating!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

¹ Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and internal structure, and are the main components of rocks. DE (Diatomite) is a naturally occurring inorganic mineral that forms from the fossilized siliceous (silica-based) skeletons of diatoms, which are single-celled aquatic organisms. While the organisms themselves are organic, the hard, porous mineralized skeletons they produce are considered inorganic.

Being an inorganic mineral, DE falls into the same category as minerals we’re all familiar with, such as Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Pyrite, Hematite, Galena, Sulfur, Gold, and Copper. The chemical formula of DE is primarily SiO₂ (silicon dioxide), with traces of other minerals.

National Find Your Inner Nerd Day

You Might Be A Nerd If ………

August 23, 2025

*Zentangle patterns: Flukes, laced, TunnelVizion, Furrballs, Paradox, Sppedwayxtra, Shattuck,*

Today’s the Day! Embrace your Inner Nerd, and set her free.

Back in the 1950s, the term “Nerd” was frequently heard to describe someone in a negative sense: “He’s not attractive;” “She’s awkward at socializing;” “What dorky glasses he’s wearing;” “She’s so shy.” Before that time, “Geek” was the popular word in play. However, many of today’s Nerds and Geeks have proudly broken free of those decades-old definitions by tossing them aside and rewriting dictionaries.

While the terms “Nerd” and “Geek” are often used interchangeably, some dictionaries are splitters. You can find Nerds described as people typically associated with intellectual pursuits and academic achievement, often focusing on mastering skills and knowledge, where Geeks are known for their intense enthusiasm of specific hobbies or interests, particularly in areas like technology, science fiction, or gaming.

Not to nit-pick an officially-designated celebration, it appears National Find Your Inner Nerd Day has merged Nerd with Geek, matching a 2024 dictionary definition….. and I paraphrase: “Nerd” is someone who’s extremely enthusiastic and wise about a subject or something they’re passionate about, and who excitedly and obsessively talks about it while paying extraordinary attention to details.

Are you an Inner Nerd?

Deep down inside do you identify with parts or even all of those words and phrases that attempt to describe a Nerdy you? You do? Awesome! Still not sure (or “On the Fence” and)/or not willing to admit to your Inner Nerdiness? Being someone who’s a self-identified Nerd, having recognized and accepted my quirkiness for decades, let me help!

You might be an Inner Nerd if:

-you’re an academic, a book-worm, into classic movies, or a Trekkie;

-you knit holiday clothes every year for your dog, all your friend’s dogs, the neighbor’s dogs, and the humane society;

-you collect Pez dispensers, antique buttons, bars of soap, or banana labels;

-you collect Adventure Labs, GeoArt, EarthCaches, TravelBugs, and Geocoins;

-your house is full of stuffed toys from around the world; you ask friends to bring you a skein of yarn every time they travel somewhere new; the closet in your craft room holds more bolts of fabric than Hancock’s of Paducah, because you ‘never know;’

-you’re passionate about learning as much as you can about anything new and then sharing everything with everyone you meet;

-you’re obsessed about your daily creative practice in the fine arts (drawing, painting, music, song, dancing, acting), or creative writing (poetry, prose, essays, short stories), or in the culinary arts;

-you have a rock from every state in the U.S., a pressed leaf from every deciduous tree in your county, a photo of front doors from all your neighbors’ homes, and neighboring neighbors’ homes;

-you’re obsessed about scrapbooking, making botanical inks, filling journal after journal with nature sketches, storytelling, song writing;

-your collection of art supplies rivals Jerry’s Artarama; your own more ukuleles than Jake Shimabukuro;

-and on and on and on!

Being a Nerd is about embracing what you love and sharing all of your nerdy habits, collections, hobbies, and passions. Being a Nerd is about wanting to inspire others to embrace their inner nerdiness, too! Isn’t it time to show the world how amazing your differences are? Isn’t it time to embrace your quirkiness and share what you love?

And if you need more convincing, have no fear! Nerds are some of the coolest people in the world, if not the world’s most creative and successful. They’re always up for learning new things and love to share what they have learned with others. National Find Your Inner Nerd Day gives permission for everyone to explore their inner nerd, because everyone has a little inner nerdiness inside ready to be set free! Nerds aren’t weird, Nerds are wonderfully unique! So let’s celebrate our quirky nature and love ourselves for who we really are.

Let’s Celebrate Our Inner Nerd

If you’re a collector of things, take the day to share your treasures with other people. Give them a glimpse inside your mind and share your enthusiasm about your collection.
Join a local club that offers similar interests to yours. Book clubs, art clubs, bird watching clubs, nature clubs, car clubs, astronomy clubs, cooking clubs , and stamp collecting clubs can always be found. The best way to meet people like you is to find people like you.
Attend a convention, such as Comicon, Star Trek, Anime, QuiltCon, National Narrow Gauge, and Association of Speciality Cut Flowers, and see how fun and enthusiastic Nerds really are! Start by searching in your local area to find something that interests you.

And lastly ……. Are you a self proclaimed Inner Nerd? Are you ready to finally submit to your Inner Nerdiness? What are you obsessed about; passionate about? Do you have an insatiable curiosity about one thing; lots of things? Are you a collector (of what); a dedicated and driven learner? Please share your uniqueness with family, friends, and me! Oh how I’d love to know!

I hope this post was fun! As always, thanks for dropping by!

P.S. I’ve been a self-proclaimed Inner Nerd for most of my life (and that’s a lot of years!). It’s been an ever changing, non-stop circular journey of obsessions and passions involving art, music, science and nature. Right now I’m passionate about nature journaling on a daily basis, and the joy of non-stop learning and sharing the limitless diversity of our natural world. Oh, and I’m crazy about my daily connections with art, Flambé, and storytelling through Zentangle.