Did you ever wonder if we in Michigan have an inexhaustible supply of water?

By David McClelland

One would think that Michigan is in about the best location to live in the United States to have a more than adequate supply of fresh water. Most of us probably never give this subject much thought, let alone have concern about it.

The May, 2011 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal has an interesting article on this subject entitled, Water Withdrawals in Michigan, which I read with interest. I would like to share some of what I learned here.

First, the author, Sara R. Gosman, stated many interesting facts and observations. First, she stated what we all know, that Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes. She stated that the Great Lakes contain 84 percent of the fresh water in North America and 21 percent of the fresh water in the world, more than any other source on earth except for the polar ice caps. She also points out that Michigan is fortunate to also have about 11,000 inland lakes and streams as well as plentiful groundwater. We also have 3, 177 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. It is no wonder that Michigan leads the nation with approximately 1 million registered pleasure boats.

She then points to some areas of concern. Less that 1 percent of the water from the Great Lakes is renewable through precipitation, surface water runoff and groundwater recharge. The rest, if consumed or diverted, is lost. Even if water uses remain at that 1 percent, local shortages may affect users and degrade a natural environment that relies on plentiful fresh water.

Ms. Gosman points out that, in the future, the available fresh water in the region may decrease as a result of climate change. Scientific models predict lower levels in the Great Lakes – as much as 4.5 feet in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Now that she has our attention, she informs us that, in 2005, the governors of the Great Lake States and the premiers of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec unveiled a plan for management of our water resources. The Plan manages our water supply in three ways. First, they limit new or increased uses of water. Second, each jurisdiction is to oversee water conservation programs for all users. Third, all jurisdictions shall work together to improve water management by sharing information on water uses and collaborating with regional partners on a science strategy to strengthen a basis for action.  

Michigan enacted legislation to manage Michigan's water supply and require all large water users to seek approvals at the state level. Ms. Grosman cautions that, although the Plan appears to be sound, it faces sever underfunding. She said that the program is at risk unless adequate funding is restored. This gives us much to think about.

Did you ever wonder if dandelions are good for anything?

By David McClelland

Every spring, we see dandelions everywhere. Many put weed killer on their lawns to prevent dandelions and other wild plants from populating their lawns. Hard as they try, some dandelions pop up anyway around the edges and in the plantings. As you probably know, the flower heads are open during the day and closed at night. They spread rapidly if their seeds are left to dry and blow around the property.

Are they just weeds and good for nothing or do they have beneficial uses? My research revealed that the technical name is Taraxacum Officinale and they are native to Eurasia (Greece) and North America. They are entirely edible and contain vitamins A, B and C. They have been used medicinally since the 11^th century. German lore of the 16^th century tells us that the roots were used as a sedative. Dandelion leaves contain high levels of potassium and are said to be a powerful diuretic. The leaves contain 7,000 units of vitamin A per ounce.

Traditional uses: The root has been used as a detoxifier, working principally on the liver and gall bladder. The dandelion has been touted as beneficial for treating skin problems such as acne and eczema, as well as improving arthritic conditions.

All of the above are interesting facts and they may all be very true, but for most of us, dandelions are still a nuisance. Dandelion wine is another use of the flower. Recipes for making this wine abound on the internet. I haven't tried it. Have you?

Did you ever wonder why spiders and snakes cause such fear and loathing?

By David McClelland

Let's face it, spiders and snakes are not our favorite creatures. They are not creatures that one normally wants to get close to. My mother was deathly afraid of snakes and tried hard to avoid them. Even a picture of a snake caused her to turn away. A lot of people share her phobia. She didn't like spiders either, but her dislike of spiders didn't amount to a phobia.

I did some research and learned that some people's phobia's concerning these creatures create havoc in their daily lives. Some can't leave home without wearing protective clothing against spiders. Others develop elaborate coping techniques, such as sending someone ahead of them into an unfamiliar environment to make sure the dreaded creatures aren't lurking there. For some, their phobias can cause a panic attack. Their fear disrupts their ability to function normally in their daily routines.

Where these fears come from is still debated. There is the "ick" factor. Spiders and snakes make some people's skin crawl. If you have such a phobia, it is very real to you and you aren't likely to be talked out of it by reasoning.

Some writers believe that parents, who fear one or both of these creatures, may pass that fear along to their young children. Others conclude that such fears are innate.

I did not inherit my mother's fears. I do have what I believe to be a rational fear of poisonous snakes and avoid them at all costs, but I don't fear spiders.

How about you? Do you have a real fear of either spiders or snakes? If so, is your fear rational and how do you cope?

Did you ever wonder what was the most fun you have ever had?

By David McClelland

I asked that question of many people and some could not come up with an answer on the spot. Could you, right now, decide what was the most fun you have ever had? It is a question upon which we should each reflect. After all, it is a good memory!

I surveyed 100 people with that question and eventually got answers from most of them. As you might imagine, the responses were quite varied and most were quite interesting. I will share some of the more interesting responses with you here.

Cindy Ramon (2 ½ years old) – Detroit, "Being with my mommy."

Carolyn Johnson – Oakland Township, "Scuba diving off the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles west of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean. The turtles there are huge."

Rod Carpenter – Clinton Township, "White water rafting on the New River in W.V."

Jim Carron – Ann Arbor, "Being in the 1989 Rose Bowl Parade and attending the Rose Bowl game where Michigan beat USC. Go Blue!"

Christine Childers – Brown City, "Going to Disneyland in 1999 and having my picture taken with "The Beast." You know, "Beauty and the Beast."

Natalie Wordlaw – Metamora, "When I danced in 'The Nutcracker'. I loved it."

Paul Abromatis – "Playing hockey against the Red Wings alumni in Joe Louis Arena."

Carol Gonzales – Dearborn Heights – "Finding my biological parents."

A lady who wished to remain anonymous – "Making love in a row boat."

Have you now decided what was the most fun you've ever had? You should.

For fun, ask each member of your family about they most fun they ever had.

Did you ever wonder if you would find volunteering rewarding?

By David McClelland

My wife and I decided to become volunteers after we retired. We had a neighbor who was an active volunteer at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac and we applied there. Soon, we were working there every week. My wife worked one day in the Gift Shop and a second day in the Coffee Shop and I worked one day each week at the Front Desk.

That was about 6 years ago and we are both still at it. What has changed is that my wife now works the one day a week that I do, but on the 5^th floor in the Mother-Baby area taking care of the needs of new mothers and, sometimes, their babies, whatever those needs may be. We both enjoy our one-day a week of volunteer work at SJMO.

My job entails assisting visitors who want to know what rooms the patients they want to visit are in. I also respond to calls from Nurses Stations all over the Hospital who need wheelchair transportation in order to complete the discharge of patients.

I take a wheelchair to the patient's room and transport them to the front lobby and wait with them until their family member or friend brings the vehicle to the front entrance. I then wheel the patient to the vehicle and assure they are strapped in and have all of their possessions before departing.

The majority of hospitals in SE Michigan are non-profit and depend heavily on volunteers to fill many jobs. At SJMO, there are about 500 volunteers and more than 200 of those are high school or college students. Volunteers have jobs all over the hospital from the Front Desk to the Emergency Room. We are everywhere. You can identify the men by their red jackets and vests and the ladies by their pink smocks.

If you would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, you may visit:

www.serve.gov    or    www.voluntermatch.org

Did you ever wonder how airplane "black boxes" survive devastating crashes?

By David McClelland

Again and again, we learn of horrible airplane crashes which are so bad that there are few, if any, survivors. Yet, in every case of which I am aware, the "black box" always remains intact, providing valuable information for investigators. The real name of the box is the Flight Information Data Recorder (FIDR) and it is painted orange, not black, for visibility.

Some wonder why they don't make the entire airplane out of the same material. The answer to that question is that it would make the aircraft too heavy. The FIDR is made of three boxes. The first is made of hardened stainless steel or titanium. The second is an insulation box. The third is a thermal block. The manufacturers put the boxes together with its "brain" inside the first box, which is placed inside the second and the second inside the third.  They make FIDR's to last. Each must survive a plane crash and function almost forever after that.

The "brain" of the box is the data storage unit, which is a magnetic tape or a memory board similar to that in your computer. Technicians mount the memory board in a thick thermal board, which sits inside an insulating box, which sits inside an armored capsule. The exterior of FIDR typically measures 5 x 6 x 9 inches, a little larger than a six-pack of Coke, and weighs about nine pounds.

What about heat and salt water? The manufacturers make the boxes so that they will withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The box will also withstand being in salt water 20,000 feet deep for up to 30 days. The box also sends out a "pinging" signal to make it easier to find.

Finally, what data is recorded? The audio environment of the cockpit is recorded; i.e., every word spoken and every word received over the headsets of the cockpit crew, as well as ambient sounds. The FIDR also records all electronic instructions sent to the aircraft and the performance parameters of the aircraft. All of this data can be invaluable to investigators tasked with determining the cause(s) of the crash. This analysis can identify changes that are required in future aircraft design.

Did you ever wonder which country has the most visitors?

By David McClelland

I see so many foreign tourists here that I had assumed that the United Sates (US) got more visitors than other countries. My research revealed that I was incorrect. The most recent tourist figures are for 2009 when France had the most visitors, about 74 million. The US was 2nd with almost 55 million. Spain was 3rd with just over 52 million and China was 4^th with almost 51 million.

To round out the top ten countries that attract tourists: Italy was 5^th with 43 million, the United Kingdom 6^th with 28 million, Turkey 7^th with 25 million, Germany 8^th with 24 million, Malaysia 9^th with 23.6 million and Mexico 10^th with 21.5 million.

In just the top ten tourist countries, visitors totaled over 397 million in 2009. In France, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is its most famous sight and the largest tourist attraction.

I found several of the countries in the top ten to be surprising. I know that China is attracting more and more attention each year, but to learn that Turkey was the 7^th most visited and that Malaysia was 9^th, were unexpected. I also thought that Canada would make the Top 10 list. Were there any surprises in the Top 10 List for you? 

Did you ever wonder which is the most popular sport in the world?

By David McClelland

If you would ask that question to my brother-in-law, who is from Ecuador, he would just smile and say, "No question. It is soccer."

There really is no question as to which is the most popular sport in Central and South American countries and in Europe as well. Soccer is king. It is often called football in those countries. Many countries have big soccer clubs that play internationally.

When I was young, my friends and I had never heard of soccer. It wasn't until my grandchildren began to play it in community leagues here that I really became familiar with the game. The "offside" call was always a difficult one for me to detect and someone else will have to explain it to you or you can find it online.

Our grandson, Josh Prantera, was on the 2008 State Championship team for Oakland Christian School and we didn't miss a game. To win, they had to play 2 games each in the Districts, the Regionals and the States. In those six critical games, they never gave up a goal. Pretty amazing! Their goalie, Kramer Everett, had 57 shutouts in his four years as the OCS goalie. I think you can see why that team kept our interest.

In professional soccer, The World Cup in the pinnacle. It has been played every four years since 1930, except for the War years of 1942 & 1946. Italy has won it the most, at four times. Spain is the current champion and won in 2010. The "Cup" is made of solid gold!

In the United States, soccer has become a far more popular sport and is played at every level. It is often the first sport that children play here now. There are professional teams in 16 U.S. cities. Most of those cities have built large soccer stadiums. If you haven't been to a soccer game yet, it would be more enjoyable for you if you took the time to learn the rules of the game before you go and it would also help if you knew at least one of the players. Enjoy!

Did you ever wonder how children who live too far from schools are educated?

By David McClelland

While serving in the United States Air Force, I was stationed in Australia for 28 months during 1971 - 1973. We were in the outback and learned about some unusual programs backed by the Australian government. One was the Flying Doctor Service where a sick or injured person in the outback is treated by a doctor who flies in and provides emergency treatment and, if necessary, transports the patient to the closest hospital.

Children whose families live too far from towns with the closest schools must take advantage of the School of the Air, which began in 1951 and continues today. These are correspondence schools catering for the primary and early secondary education of children in remote and outback areas of Australia.

These Schools were conducted via shortwave radio from 1951 through 2003 and then converted to wireless internet technologies to deliver lessons which include live, one-way video feeds and clear, two-way audio. Each student has direct contact with the teacher in a major inland town such as Broken Hill, Alice Springs or Meekatharra. Each student spends approximately one hour each day receiving group or individual instructions from the teacher, and the rest of the day working through the assigned materials with a parent, older sibling or a hired home-stay tutor.

The School of the Air is frequently the isolated children's first opportunity to interact with children outside of their own families. This is supplemented by 3 or 4 annual gatherings where the children travel to the school to spend a week with their teachers and classmates. 

If you visit Australia, you may visit one such school in Alice Springs in Central Australia. The visitor's center is set up to enable tourists the opportunity to observe live classes and be shown recorded lessons. With so much of Australia considered to be in the outback, The Flying Doctor Service and The School of the Air are essential.