Moses Bridge in the Netherlands

A Facebook friend posted an image of this bridge. As a fan of unusual structures, I wanted to see more. This video is a bit fuzzy in places, but it gets the idea across.

As for why this bridge was built, it provides access to Fort de Roovere. During the 17th century, a series of forts and moats were built to protect against invasion from France and Spain. When the fort was opened to the public, there was concern about blocking the dramatic view of the fort. The solution was to build a sunken bridge. Here's a link to some more interesting images (this bridge was a finalist in the Dutch Design Awards in 2011).

The Importance of Goals

This video by a young man in his twenties discusses the quarter-life crisis. Now I'm sure that some people will criticize him for not being grateful for what he is, but in truth, I understand what he's experiencing. I remember that age and that feeling. I'm betting that lots of young people go through an adjustment period when school is over and life, for the first time, feels settled with no blueprint for the next few years.

I remember reading something back at that age about the importance of goals, and I've never forgotten it. When life stops giving you goals, make your own. Fortunately for me, a writer always have goals.

And goals don't have to be work-related. An intriguing hobby can serve the same purpose. Here's to goals!

Just Some Cute Squirrels

We have a lot of squirrels running around our neighborhood. Sometimes they can be a nuisance because they dig up the yard to bury their nuts, then forget where they buried the nuts and dig a lot of holes in the grass frantically trying to find all the hiding places. But they are cute little guys.

In this video, Nancy Rose (of Nancy Rose Photos) sets up props in her backyard and takes photos of all that cuteness.

via Nag on the Lake

If You're Afraid of Heights...

Here's the spire, the last piece of One World Trade Center, being raised into place. It has a GoPro camera on it.

via Viral Viral Videos

How's Your Geography?

Play GeoGuessr. Using Google Streets, you're given a location. Your job is to guess where you are and get as many points you can over 5 rounds. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, but I found that using language, road or terrain clues, I could get reasonably close.

Atari Breakout via Google Images

Google is celebrating Atari Breakout's 37th birthday. To launch the Easter egg and play the game (a blue paddle and a ball that hits colored bricks), go to image search and type Atari breakout. Your screen will immediately be transformed into a game. It's definitely a time waster, but a fun one.

A Book I'm Recommending Lately

I've always loved Deborah Smith's books. The characters are wonderful and the stories are compelling. This month Amazon is selling the Kindle version of The Crossroads Cafe for $1.99. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and there's both a Look Inside the Book function as well as a sample available (if you have a Kindle or download the free Kindle app for your computer).

Prince Edward Island This Summer?

I was just reading the Chicago Tribune's travel section and saw that Prince Edward Island is offering some fabulous deals for tourists this summer. No doubt it has something to do with the cost of fuel.

I've only been there once, but it's a beautiful place (and for Anne of Green Gables fans, there's that connection). So, of course, I went in search of some Prince Edward Island images.

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Teacup Rock

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Covehead Lighthouse

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The inspiration for Anne of Green Gables
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(As always, I urge you to click through on the Source links for more fantastic images by the photographers).

If you'd like more information about Prince Edward Island, including a video and information on all the lighthouses, check out their official Prince Edward Island tourism site.

Fun (Yes, I Said Fun!) Geography Lesson For Today

C.G.P. Gray teaches us about countries inside countries.

This Was Supposed to Be a Post About Limerick Day

Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of  Edward Lear who popularized the limerick in his A Book of Nonsense in 1846, but on my way to finding a visual to go with this post, I came across several lovely images totally unrelated to Limerick Day.

For example, this photo has nothing to do with the word limerick as a form of poetry but was taken not far from the city of Limerick in Ireland.

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And then there's this gorgeous image:
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And this wonderful signpost (only 6k to Limerick):

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So...I lost sight of my goal, but not for long. This day, after all, is about Edward Lear and his limericks. And to that I say, Happy Birthday, Edward Lear! And thank you for your contribution to literature.

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One of Edward Lear's limericks (I'm sure you know this one):

There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, “It is just as I feared!—
Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”

For more of Edward Lear's poems or to read biographical material, go to Poem Hunter.