Cold.  Changing leaves.  The sun at a different angle.  And Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks.

Though I was just informed that there are some pretty serious problems with that good ol’ fall favorite, the PSL.  As in, carcinogenic dyes and no actual pumpkin and other scary, chemical thingys.  What was Starbucks thinking?  And what’s a gal to do when she hears things like this?

Actually, the PSL has never been much of a favorite of mine.  So I’ll be ok.  And blithely ignore the fact that a megalomanic-coffeehouse could so callously mess with our health in that way.  It’s going to take a bit more than that to deter me from my java nirvana.  I mean really, I face the dude-in-black every morning, right?  What’s a few chemicals among coffee lovers?

On to the other signs of waning summer.

Summer Science Camp came and went.  See pictures below of our Meteorology Day, Geology Day and Botany Day.  The Zoology Day was cut short and the owl skeleton and horse skull didn’t get drug out.  We’ll do that shortly, and I’ll get you pictures, because everyone needs to see the owl skeleton.  Way cool.

 Icebergs in the bathtub!

Who doesn’t like blowing up volcanoes and making crystal gardens?

Geology Day followed by trip to the University of Wyoming Geology Museum where we finally saw Big Al, the Allosaurus found in Wyoming who stars in his own movie!  Can you pick out the fossilized feces?  (Coprolite to be exact.) Our attempt at a homemade thermometer.

 A sundial!

 The barometer, which up here, was always moving!

 A hitchhiking green thing!

Mold in a jar and the fantastic bubbling properties of yeast eating sugar granules!

All in all, a fun few science-filled days with an eager, budding scientist.  Awesome.  I’m stoked she’s so excited about science.  The Universe knew what it was doing when It delivered this soul to me.  To us I guess I should say.

Anyway, off to school.  Our stack of materials is daunting, but we’re starting with a positive attitude this year…one day at a time!

Blessings on you and yours on this fine fall day!