We Had a Snow Day Today

Here in Hardin County, Kentucky schools shut down whenever it snows.  I'm not kidding you.  We had 3 - 4 inches predicted today and before the first flake floated out of the sky schools were canceled.  Being originally from the great northern state of Illinois, I could use the story that my dad always told me about walking to school as a kid in the winter, uphill both ways for a couple miles with knee-deep snow!  I won't tell you that but I will tell you that it wasn't uncommon to have 6 inches or more on the ROADS and still get on the school bus.  I love snow...the looks of it but ONLY on Christmas day; the cold temperatures I can do without. Here are a couple looks at today's snow that did not reach the top of my fat feet...

The spruce tree in the front yard

 

The back yard

Barney thinking:   "Why don't they make indoor toilets for dogs?"

 

Leaning Tower of Pisa Closes to Public 07 January 1990

On this day, 07 January 1990, The Leaning Tower of Pisa was closed to the public. The accelerated rate of "leaning" raised fears for the safety of its visitors.  The medieval tower took over 200 years to build.  The tower reopened in 2001 after stabalization but there were additional stabilization problems.

It is believed that Galileo did an experiment on the tower and discovered gravity.  Here is a short NASA video that demonstrates this experiment.

Why do I find this interesting?  Despite the problems with this building, look at how long it has stood-- Europeans hadn't found their way to the Americas yet!  Think about how many buildings in the New World have NOT stood the test of time and you will realize that the Italian craftsman really did quality work.




For more information:
BBC
Tour Italy Now article