Rain, then sunshine/Please be an organ donor/Unpasteurized milk

WEATHER
Big buzz in Houston today as it started sleeting this afternoon. Temperatures were in the 40s, but by golly, those were ice pellets hitting my windshield (or at least some of the wet stuff was ice pellets). For counties, a few counties north of Houston, there will be sleet and even some snow. Around Houston, temperatures will stay warm enough to prevent ice on roads. It will be very chilly on Thursday with highs in the 40s and rain increasing in intensity as the day progresses. Rain tapers off Friday morning. There could be some breaks with sun on Friday afternoon. Saturday and Sunday will be milder with sunshine--especially Saturday. A brief overcast Sunday afternoon and then sunshine for the early part of the week.

Ridge will build over the western US the next few days. This will keep the wet stuff mainly over the eastern US. On Thursday, highs will be in the 20s over the northern plains and Great Lakes. There will 60s over the southwest US, Florida and south Texas. Wettest are will be Texas and Oklahoma.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do aunt or tia, pronounced TEE-ah. Find out about one of my very special aunts in the AND MORE section.

How do you stimulate the brain and have fun at the same time? Learn another language. Help your kids do just that by ordering our award winning Spanish DVDs for children...volumes one and two of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
A dear friend of mine told me today that a lung function problem he had since childhood has pulled on his heart so much that the heart is only operating at 18%. He needs a lung and heart transplant but is just now getting on the waiting list...yet the doctors think he only has 1 to 5 years to live.

BECOME A DONOR! I have the sticker on my license and it is very easy to get from your DPS office. Also very important, tell your family that is what you wish. Know that your family will never be charged for the transplant costs. Stop the needless deaths of people waiting for donors. For more information, check out the following site:
http://organdonor.gov/donor/index.htm

Still doing a lot of reminiscing...a lot has to do with my nephew Taylor being here. I was thinking about my Aunt Shirley. I used to visit her family during the summers...often for weeks at a time. I was one of those "city folks". But, my heart was in the country. I loved running around barefoot, collecting eggs from the chickens, picking blackberries from the wild bushes along the back fence, riding Sam the horse bareback and drinking milk (unpasteurized) from the cows. By the way, that milk tastes very different from what you buy in the store.

Anyway, Aunt Shirley was a joy! She had a great sense of humor. I used to ask her why she didn't have a dishwasher and she would answer...I already have 4 dishwashers. When I asked where they were she would point at me and say "you, and her and her and her" (she was pointing at her 3 daughters after pointing at me. Then she would belt out a hearty laugh. We were up around 5 or 5:30 to do "the work" and that was taking care of the animals. Aunt Shirley whipped up these wonderful breakfasts--my favorite was the cream gravy with bits of sausage over biscuits. She packed up huge lunchboxes and sent her 3 boys off to work the farm. During the day, us girls took care of the chore of the day. She had one day devoted to washing clothes. For a long time, she had one of those ringer washers. One day was for going "up to town" to shop for groceries and run errands. My aunt and cousins got dressed up...in dresses! Then, there was alway "the work" at around 5:30 pm which was again taking care of the animals. There was always a wonderful dinner too and usually dessert. Then, Aunt Shirley would stay up until about 12:30 am sewing clothes for extra money on the side. She made outfits for entire dance drill teams and made many wedding dresses. She was extremely good at what she did. Of course when I look back on all of this, I marvel at how hard she worked every minute of every day and yet had a ready laugh that shook the rafters. She was a blast!

Well now, go give that special aunt a hug or phone call.

Stay warm everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

This Week's Weather/New Poll/What I Did During Super Bowl

WEATHER
Very cold start to the week over the northern Rockies and northern plains with highs in the teens. Snow from Denver into the Midwest and Great Lakes. Mild across southern California and Arizona, southern Texas and the Gulf coast states with highs in the 60s and/or 70s. 50s for the Pacific Northwest and 30s for the Northeast including New York, DC and Boston.

Houston, our Seattle winter continues! On Monday, we will have a milder day but look for some thunderstorms during the later part of the day and then chilly again on Tuesday with highs near 50. A light freeze early Wednesday and highs in the 40s and then more rain on Thursday and then rain again Sunday. Highs on Thursday and Friday will also only be in the 40s.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do advocado or aguacate, pronounced ah-gwah-CAH-tay. There's nothing as yummy for Super Bowl as good old guacomole made from aguacate. MMMMMM!

We got our 5th order in 5 weeks from our big distributor. Find out what the buzz is about. Order my award winning Spanish DVDs for children...volumes one and two of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
Well the Super Bowl is on as I write this post and my husband just told me I am crazy to be writing a blog during the game. I told him don't worry, I am listening. Sarah is napping at the moment. So, I need to make the most of this time. In a few minutes, I'll be making some guacomole and grilling some steaks. The potatoes are baking in the oven. But, I am getting more and more into eating heathier foods. For one thing, I think you just feel better. And, I know it is better for the heart etc. We also take fish oil (and Sarah does too). So, my new poll is about healthy eating. Sorry if I left out your favorite healthy food. You can always leave a comment to share with others. More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

So, the poll about your favorite source of weather information is closed. 28% said this blog is their number one place to get weather...sorry I included that...just being silly...so thanks for humoring me. 28% said the Internet. 14% said a TV weathercast, or radio, or the National Weather Service. No one said newspapers, private forecasting service, own observation or other. Thanks to all who participating.

The winner of the John C. Freemen Weather Museum's contest for new favorite Texas animal to be our equivalent of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, was Alamo the steer. I got to take a picture with the big guy (see photo at right). He won over 5 other competitors including an armadillo and jack rabbit. Well, he had good news for us. He didn't see his shadow...so he wasn't scared and that means Winter is officially over. You know what, I don't think that big guy is scared of anything!!!

My sister sent the photo at right this week. It's my adorable nephews and niece Jared, Tyler and Riley enjoying an igloo they built in the Lake Tahoe, California area. They've had a ton of snow this year!!! Speaking of snow, my mother-in-law in Council Bluffs, IA said this is the snowiest winter they have ever had.

Well, I've been having a lot of nice chats with my nephew Taylor, age 20, who is staying with us for a while as he goes to school to become a diesel mechanic. He has really got me reminiscing, asking me lots of questions about growing up with his dad etc. We got to talking about computers and I remembered that when I was in high school, a club I was in called the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) saved our money and bought an Apple computer. This was back in 1981. It was such a big deal that the local news covered it...you know that we had a real computer there at our school. My wonderful Physics and Calculus teacher, Edwin Bates, set up a self study class for us to learn some programming, if I remember right, it was QBasic. Wow! Have we come a long way since then!!!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Super Bowl and the good eats!!! Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Groundhog Gala Recap/Weekend Forecast

WEATHER
Winter Storm Warnings cover much of New Mexico this evening and there are watches and advisories for much of the south and southeast. Low pressure moving northward from south Texas is bringing moisture into the southern and central US and with cold temperatures in place, this means frozen precipitation.

On Thursday, there will be snow showers in the central and northern Plains, northern Rockies, Midwest and western Great Lakes. Coldest spot will be Maine with highs in the teens. There will be 20s and 30s for the northern tier of states except for the Pacific Northwest which will be in the 50s. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s Florida and 60s for southern California and Arizona. Central US will be chilly with highs in the 30s and 40s. Look for some rain in Gulf Coast states, Tennessee Valley and southeast.

On Thursday, Houston will have rain...especially early. It will be a cold day with highs in the 40s. Some sun peeks out on Friday and Saturday and then clouding up again on Sunday with rain returning Monday. Highs will be in the 50s through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do dessert or postre, pronounced POHS-tray. The postre at the Groundhog Day Gala was unique and delicious...find out all about it in the AND MORE section.

I ran into a woman at the grocery store speaking Spanish and English to her children. We got to talking about the benefits of language learning and I told her, don't stop...you are helping your child's cognitive development so much. How do I know that? Well, I have read the research...study after study show benefits. Help your children develop an interest in another language. Order my special language videos for children...volumes one and two of DVDs, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
Went to The Groundhog Day Gala last night. The gala benefitted the education programs provided by The John C. Freeman Weather Museum. The event was held in the Crystal Ballroom at downtown's Rice Hotel. Carol Barndollar spearheaded a team of gala planners who threw the most lovely party I have ever attended. The centerpieces were amazing...yellow with a bit of black...a bouquet of flowers and then on a pole above it a small arrangement with a stuffed groundhog and a yellow umbrella. The food was to die for. The salad had a poached pear on a spring mix of lettuce with a delicious dressing. The main course was both beef and chicken...and both tender enough to cut with a fork, accompanied by asparagus, mashed potatoes and rolls. The dessert was the most amazing part of all. A triangular shaped cake with an umbrella made of white chocolate. Ooh la la. Guests were greeted by a musical medley performed by Cherish the Music (my mom and stepdad Gerry). Then, there was more live music following dinner. Special guests and honorees (weather heroes) included Dr. Steve Lyons, hurricane expert from The Weather Channel. His folks live here in the Houston area and his sister lives in Rockport. So, he was thrilled to not only get an award but also to spend time with his family. Other special guests included Gene Norman, Dr. Jim Siebert, John Dawson, Keith Monahan (see photo), Kristy Powers, Travis Herzog, and Anthony Yanez. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Another group of weather heroes was the 2nd grade teachers at The Kinkaid School for their special weather education program for 2nd graders. Gordy and I interviewed the teachers and students and created a video celebrating their accomplishments. The video played on a special plasma TV at the rear of the Crystal Ballroom. Guests also got to take fun photos in front of a chromakey wall (green screen) with the option of choosing different fun weather backgrounds. The most popular one was a tornado--fun poses with people posing as if they were terrified or running or getting blown about.

Well, it was back to business today. But I am so glad the gala was a success.

My nephew Taylor and I were discussing redundant phrases and he asked me...why to they call it a hot water heater. After all, it is simply a water heater. Hmmmm...

Don't forget to vote in the poll about your favorite place to get weather information. Poll closes on Thursday.

Stay dry everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

More rain coming/Claire Danes in Autism Role

WEATHER
As I write this post, there are some winter weather advisories and freezing rain advisories for Virginia and North Carolina. On Tuesday, there will be some thunderstorms along coastal Georgia and parts of Florida. There will also be some showers along the eastern seaboard. There will be some snow showers around the Great Lakes and some rain/snow over the Intermountain Region, Sierra Nevada and West Coast. Also, there will be a few showers in Texas. Cold spot will be western Great Lakes and northern plains with highs in the teens and 20s and northern Maine with highs only in the single digits. The southern tier of states will have highs in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Houston will be cool with lows in the 40s and highs in the upper 50s to 60. Skies will be mostly cloudy. There will also be some fog and low ceilings. Wednesday afternoon, rain returns and there will be rain into the first half of Thursday as the next cold front arrives. Thursday will be chilly with temperatures staying in tshe 40s all day. Then, look for chilly morning and cool afternoons (highs in the 50s to low 60s) through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do determined or resuelto, pronounced ray-SWELL-toe. There is an excellent movie about a resuelto autistic woman (played by Claire Danes). See the And More section for details.

Had another order for DVDs from Amazon. Slowly but surely, it looks like our award winning DVD is catching on. Find out what you're missing. Order one of our videos...volumes one and two of DVDs, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
Attention all who are interested in Autism, Aspergers and PDD...Cheryl Sewell of the Arc of Fort Bend, sent me this info. about a special movie coming up Feb. 6th.

HBO's Temple Grandin Tells the Inspirational Story of Autism Advocate Who "Thinks in Pictures"

On February 6 at 8PM (ET/PT), HBO will premiere an original film based on the inspirational true story of Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes. Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman's perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism. Temple is a highly successful doctor of animal sciences, a best-selling author, and an internationally renowned autism advocate. To support the autism community and celebrate the film, HBO and Barnes & Noble will host special displays with Temple's books and information related to autism and the HBO film in all 775 Barnes & Noble stores. HBO has also created a free, downloadable coloring book that tells Temple's story through illustrations created by artists with autism. You can download the coloring book through February 17 at bn.com/templegrandin and at HBO.com.

"I am not like other people. I think in pictures." --Temple Grandin

And now it is me...I have met so many people who have special needs children. It is amazing what some of these kids can do. They are all very special in their own way. I am so glad that more and more people are understanding and accepting.

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend Forecast/Groundhog Day Celebration and Contest/New Poll

WEATHER
Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories are in effect this evening for much of the southeast. On Saturday, the warm spot will be southern Florida with highs in the 70s and 80s. In contrast, highs will be in the teens for the northern plains and much of northern New England. There will be lots of 20s for the northern plains and central plains into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, Great Lakes and eastern seaboard. Look for some thunderstorms extreme southeast US and some rain and snow showers out west as new storm system pushes eastward. There will also be some snow along the eastern seaboard/mid-Atlantic.

Houston had a nice soaking rain early today. According to the rain gauge network operated by the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, there were 2 inch totals around The Woodland and extreme northeastern Harris County. Near downtown and down around Friendswood, totals average 1.5 inches and around Sugar Land the amount was about 1 inch.

For Houston, there will be some sunshine this weekend but still very chilly with lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s Saturday and 50s on Sunday. A slight warmup early in the week and then the next cold front arrives mid-week with rain mainly late Wednesday into early Thursday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do celebration or celebración, pronounced se-leh-brah-see-OWN. This is a week of celebración for weather people. Find out why in the AND MORE section.

Today I had a first on a customer order. They wanted one of each of our videos...so volumes one and two of DVDs, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, and Volume 1 of our ESL version (for Spanish speakers wanting to learn English)--she was buying this last one for a friend who wants to learn to speak English. You can order Volumes 1 or 2 at http://www.frankandpaco.com
, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
My poll on most important aesthetic home feature for buyers is closed. 44% picked wood floors as most important (interestingly, a realtor friend of mine told me this is the most important thing). 33% picked granite countertops. 11% picked stainless steel appliances. 11% picked tile floors. 0% picked laminate floors, modern light fixtures or modern faucets. Thanks to all who participated.

In light of the fact that this is the most cherished week of the year for all meteorologists, I thought I would do a poll on how you primarily get your weather information. Thanks in advance for participating.

Yes, indeed...this is a big week for weather people. First of all, Tuesday is Groundhog Day. What?! You have no special plans?! Well first of all, you need to check out The John C. Freeman Weather Museum web site because they are having a contest to determine what native Texas creature should become the official groundhog critter for Texas. There are 6 available choices...just click on the one you like most. And, if you tell them the name of the #1 Groundhog is (pssssttt....it's Punxsutawney Phil), then you can get free admission to the museum every Saturday in February. So, put in your vote today:
http://www.wxresearch.com/ghogday.html

And, on Tuesday morning at the museum, there will be a special Groudhog Day celebration emcee'd by Channel 13's Casey Curry!!! So, head on over and join the fun!

And then on February 5th, there is the weather person's Christmas equivalent...it is National Weatherman's Day. February 5th was selected because that is the birthday of John Jeffries--one of the first weather observers in the US. Just don't forget to get gifts for all those special weather people in your world. To learn more, check out this link:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=wxmanday

Have a great weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Severe Threat/Finger Nails Growth Rate/New NO2 Standard

WEATHER
On Thursday, bitterly cold for the northern plains and western Great Lakes states with highs in the single digits. Wintry weather will develop over north Texas and Oklahoma and locations even further east as the next storm system moves eastward. Many of these areas are under winter weather advisories (see figure at right). There is a slight risk for severe storms in central and southern Texas. The southern tier of states will have highs in the 60s. Elsewhere, highs will be in the 20s to 50s.

Houston, there will be rain by later in the day. Some severe weather will be possible overnight Thursday into Friday morning. Looks like most of the rain will fall Friday morning. Cold front arrives Friday morning and it will be a very chilly afternoon with temperatures in the 40s and windy conditions. Saturday and Sunday will be chilly with sunshine for at least some of the time...lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s. Next rain will be Tuesday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do big or grande, pronounced GRAHN-day. Find out about some grande boys I know.

Yay! Got another big order from my distributor today! And I have a way for you to help your children embrace Spanish while being entertained. Order my award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. And, you'll feel good about purchasing it, knowing that it has won awards from Dr. Toy and homeschool.com as a best educational product. You can find Volumes 1 or 2 at http://www.frankandpaco.com
, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
Finally, finally--I had all of my fingernails about the same length and was looking forward to getting them "done' when I broke of the end of my middle finger nail. I looked around on the NET and there does seem to be a consensus that fingernails grow about .1 mm per day...so in a week you would have just over half a millimeter of growth. Keep in mind that it takes about 25 mm to make an inch. I also read that fingernails grow faster than toenails and that the nail on the middle finger grows faster than the rest. So maybe I'll have a ltitle bit of nail by the time of the Groundhog Day weather gala this coming Tuesday, 2/2. Interestingly, finger nails grow faster than toe nails--hypothesis is that it has to do with more blood flow due to more activity. Dr. Steve Lyons (of the Weather Channel) will be honored as a weather hero. And, I might get to sit at his table. I've met Dr. Lyons on and off over the years. He is a super terrific person and very deserving of a weather hero award. Grow brokern nail, grow!

A big announcement by EPA on Monday 1/25. For the first time in 35 years, they have created a new health standard for nitrogen oxides (measured as nitrogen dioxide or NO2). the new standard is for a one hour time period and is 0.100 ppm or 100 ppb. The annual standard is 53 ppb and has been around a long time. All of the country is in compliance with the annual NO2 standard. But, it is likely that many places will have trouble making the new 1 hour standard. The reason for adding a one-hour standard is because many of serious health problems with NO2 could be prevented. High NO2 is believed to be a cause of enphysema and asthma in some individuals. New monitoring equipment will be taking measurements by Jan. 1, 2013 and then there will be 3 years to collect data so that all non-attainment areas can be designated. There is a chance that Houston will be non-attainment for the new standard. Interestingly, all of the US is in attainment for the annual standard of NO2.

Well, we have a house full of company right now. My nephew Taylor just started school to beome a diesel mechanic. He will be with us for a few months. Now, Taylor's mom and dad are also here. Charlie, Taylor's friend, is also with us for a couple nights. Now this Charlie is no small dude. he is a whopping 6'9". And his little brother is 6'5". This reminds me of my nephews Josh and Jacob who are brothers. They are 6'10" and 6'5" respectively. These gentlemen giants never complain that beds don't fit them. They just tower over me and smile. Back to Charlie...his Dad's company sells pipes and just finished a huge contract providing pipes for the Texas border dike. I remember shortly before Hurricane Dolly hearing a talk where the speaker said that the dike system in the valley was in very bad shape. They had some scares after last summer's Hurricane Dolly. Now, the border dike is almost done.

Don't forget to answer the poll on the most important aesthetic improvement in a home.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Week's Weather/Understanding Earthquakes/Saving the World from Terrorists

WEATHER
As I write this post, there has been one tornado in northern Tennessee. And, there have been several high wind measurements. Much of the southeast is under a tornado watch this evening. There are also winter weather type advisories in parts of the Sierra Nevada, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota and parts of New England. There is a red flag warning due to high wind and dry conditions in parts of Texas.

On Monday, highs will be in the teens and 20s for the northern Rockies and northern Plains. Then there will be a swatch of 30s from the Intermountain Region through the central plains and Midwest and into the northeast. Boston, NY and DC will enjoy 40s and 50s and about 60 respectively before colder air arrives midweek. The west coast and southern states will be mainly in the 40s, 50s and 60s (Miami and the riog Grande Valley of TX will reach the mid to upper 70s). There will be some snow showers for the Great Lakes states, Ohio Valley and some thunderstorms for the eastern seaboard and southern Florida as well as the west coast. The Pacific Northwest and Intermountain Region will also have some showers and snow.

Houston will be pleasant with a morning start around 40 and highs in the 60s. It won't be so windy. Temperatures climb each day into midweek. Windy picks up again as the next storm system approaches on Wednesday. Thunderstorms and then cold front arrive Thursday. Lows will be in the 30s and highs will be in the 40s on Friday. There will be a light freeze for outlying areas Saturday morning with highs in the 50s on Saturday and slightly warmer for Sunday.



SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do recover or recuperar, pronounced ray-coo-purr-ARRRRRRRRR. Did you know that there are radioactive sources in dozens of countries that we need to recuperar to keep them out of the hands of terrorists? Find out about the U.S. team (including my own sister) that is working on doing just that.

Most of the folks doing the important work of radioactive source recovery are scientists. Did you know that children who learn more than one language are more apt to score higher on standardized math and science tests than children who only learn one language? And I have a way for you to help your children embrace Spanish while being entertained. Order my award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. And, you'll feel good about purchasing it, knowing that it has won awards from Dr. Toy and homeschool.com as a best educational product. You can find Volumes 1 or 2 at http://www.frankandpaco.com
, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
What a beautiful day!!! Okay...it was a bit on the windy side. But, we took advantage of it and headed to the wide open spaces at Lost Creek Park in Sugar Land. Sarah and Lexi had a great time flying our kite. We saw several other kite flying enthusiasts out there. And, there were a few casualties in the trees.

Our church gave a report on how much was collected last week for the victims of the Haiti earthquake on January 12th. That earthquake was a 7 on the Richter scale. I got to thinking back on the old logarithmic scale for determining how each magnitude of earthquake compares to the magnitude below it. I remembered a multiplier of 10. So, I went to the United States Geological Survey site to learn more. This site has a wealth of information. For example, the strongest earthquake in the 1900s was a 9.5 in Chile in 1960. The deadliest was an 8 magnitude in 1556 in Shaanxi (Shensi) China which killed 830,000 (possibly more). Frequency-wise, in the world, there is 1 earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher each year, 17 of magnitude 7 to 7.9 and 134 of magnitude 6 to 6.9. Getting back to the multiplier of 10 for each level of magnitude, that has to do with the amplitude of the earthquake's waves measured on a seismograph. But what is even more important is the amount of energy that is released. Let me explain it this way. A magnitude 7 earthquake is 10 times stronger (amplitude-wise) than a magnitude 6 earthquake. But, it releases 32 times more energy. A magnitude 8 earthquake is 100 times stronger (amplitude-wise) than a magnitude 6 earthquake. But it releases 1000 times the energy! A magniture 9 earthquake is 1000 times stronger than a magnitude 6 earthquake and releases 31,623 times the energy!!! So, the energy release is very important for understanding the amount of destruction. To learn more about earthquakes, go to the USGS site:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/

Here is the perfect way to exercise and benefit a charity you like. It is the 3rd Annual Charity of Your Choice Walk on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Telfair Community in Sugar Land. You choices for beneficiaries are Second Mile Mission Cneter, Fort Bend Family Promise, Pregnancy Resource Center, Fort Bend Educatino Foundation (the Arc of Fort Bend County), child Advocates of Fort Bend, Shape Up Sugar Land, Brazos Bend Guardianship Services, Asians Against Domestic Abuse, East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity, Fort Bend Community Partners Rainbow Room, Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, and NAMI Fort Bend. Here is the link for more information and registration:
http://charityofyourchoicewalk.com/

My sister Julie is a modern day superhero...her work is to recover radioactive sources from overseas locations--at risk of acquisition by terrorist threats. She has had to testify before the Department of Homeland Security several times. Her husband Alex is a genius master of safe methodology for recovery. Together they make and unbeatable team. The following article explains the work of these people who are trying very hard to make our world a safer place:
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?075+article+News+20100121140629075075004

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman