New Roommate

The Missus trapped this critter as it was jumping across the dining room table while she was completing some paperwork.  For it's diminutive size it was making some spectacular leaps and she eventually trapped it under a adult beverage highball glass.

At first glance I thought it was a flea; but upon closer examination with my iPhone camera it was revealed to be a small spider.  Similar to others I've seen around the kitchen or bathroom sink recently.

A Google Gemini search reveals this to be a Jumping Spider.  Meet the Tan Jumping Spider - Platycryptus undatus - reported to be common in the Midwest.

Buddha would approve of our decision not to kill this critter as quickly as we would the nasty Asian beetles thawing-out recently as this arachnid is harmless to people and an active hunter of flies, gnats and mosquitoes.  Furthermore, relative to other spiders they're endowed with excellent vision, complex brains and are known to be curious about humans and will track your movements with their large front eyes. Yup, if you pay us a visit you may be watched.

They don't construct webs preferring to actively hunt and pounce-upon their prey.  Nevertheless, while jumping they sometimes deploy a single strand of silk that serves as a safety tether.  Spider-Man would approve.

I haven't spotted these in large numbers as they don't live in colonies and since they don't bite and neither of us have any spider phobias maybe they'll keep the fruit flies in check around the box wine and kitchen compost container.  If they're bothersome they're easily-enough moveable outside after it warms-up.  A simple-enough mechanism to get rid of a new roommate if things don't work out...

Friday Music

Composed by Mancini for the television show of the same name the song was the opening track on the original soundtrack album - The Music from Peter Gunn.  Released in 1959 it reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the R&B chart.  Mancini went on to win an Emmy Award and two Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Arrangement.

Over a couple of decades this song has earned three posts here at the Platz (Yes, you can read/watch them by searching under Peter Gunn) and I figure it's about time to add one more to make it four.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer issued a live album - In Concert - recorded at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, August 26, 1977.  Following ELP's breakup it was released by Atlantic Records in November of 1979.  It was subsequently repackaged and re-released as Works Live in 1993 to include three tracks recorded in Wheeling, WV in November of 1977.  This was one of them.

Turn-up the volume for a really fun iteration of the Peter Gunn theme...

Highway Patrol

Yup, Wisconsin State Patrol pays a visit; again.

This time with a 1956 Chevrolet 210 4-door sedan including dark blue on white paint and the still-familiar door badge.  In the 1950s Wisconsin was transitioning from motorcycles and under powered patrol cars to V8-driven high speed patrol and pursuit vehicles.  Chevrolet was a natural fit as a consequence of their reliable small block V8 motors, availability of a statewide maintenance network and a lower fleet cost than Chrysler or Ford.  

click on image for a closer look

This vehicle was identical in virtually all respects with the Chevy Bel Air; hosting the same drive train (engines and transmissions) chassis and suspension.  As a trim line the Bel Air sported costlier chrome and flashier trim.  Police agencies eschewed such extravagance and opted for the less-ostentatious utilitarian appearance of the 150 and 210 models.  

Our State Patrol rolled courtesy of a 265 cu. in. V8 equipped with a 2-barrel carburetor rated at 170 HP.  A few vehicles in the fleet were upgraded to the 4-barrel Power Pack 205 HP model.  A 3-speed manual transmission was standard for patrol duty.  Naturally, this was a vehicle with rear-wheel drive and equipped with fleet specification rear axles, heavy duty springs, shocks and reinforced frames.

Standard equipment included a single rotating red gumball roof beacon, a driver's side spotlight, a roof-mounted whip radio antenna, hi-output fender-mounted siren and painted steel wheels including dog-dish hubcaps.

Notable in this photo is the absence of the trooper's ubiquitous Smokey Bear hat.  That's because he is outfitted in winter kit including a cold weather fur service cap and his Sam Browne belt. 

You're probably wondering if there was a Motorola radio lurking in that cruiser.  The answer is of-course.  By the mid-1950s Motorola enjoyed a virtual monopoly on law-enforcement radio contracts.  Motorola radio technology enjoyed operability across agencies, exceedingly reliable rural coverage and factory support based in Chicago and other major population centers.  By the time 19655-56 rolled-around, virtually all state patrol sedans nationwide were equipped with Motorola radios.

And if you're a bad guy fleeing the long arm of the law you may have a fast set of wheels; but you can't outrun Motorola.... 

1955 Chevy in LAPD Livery

 

New Species!

We're excited to share about a new exotic species that now calls the the Great Lakes system home.  

The rare spotted catfish is genuinely one of a kind. This elusive freshwater creature has never been seen by most, some even argue its existence.

Spotted catfish tend to have a docile temperament until you try to touch them, which is when they will bite you and swim away with a smug demeanor.  They have been known to eat other fish and will chase bright, shiny lights in the water.

 

Bedtime

Just back from taking doggo out to tinkle before bedtime.

 

It’s quiet here in flyover country; yet now that the solstice is past things are coming to life.  Yes, even when you live halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

The Pink Moon is almost full.  The ducks are chuckling and quacking down at the big pond.

And we heard the first plaintive peents from the returning timber doodles.

Spring peepers are defrosting in the on deck circle…..
 

April Astronomy

If you are reading this you have ample notice about tomorrows' full moon - called the Pink Moon. 

The term ‘Pink Moon’ actually does not imply that the moon is pink.  The term derives from the spring appearance of native ground phlox and their pink blooms that coincides with the April full moon.  I recommend that if viewing conditions are good tomorrow night that you step outside around 9 PM so you can witness the moon at its largest.  

The April full moon is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.  The Algonquin people knew this as the Breaking Ice Moon while the Dakota identify this as the When The Ducks Come Back Moon.  These native tribal names ring true around here.

More here from the Old Farmer's Almanac... 

A Day In The Life Of A Retired Guy

 

Started my day with making the dough.  

Easy peasy.

Braised and deboned a couple wild turkey hindquarters for soup, assembled a batch of Lenten tuna salad, prepped for Wednesday’s class and closed with that dough.

Daily Bread!

Entirely possible my kitchen likely smells better than yours...