Thursday
Today’s word – or more accurately “acronym” – of the day is: BTU.

It stands for “British Thermal Unit.” Its definition, according to Whatis.com is:

A British thermal unit (BTU) is a standard unit of energy that is used in the United States and sometimes in the U.K. It represents the amount of thermal energy necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of pure liquid water by one degree Fahrenheit at the temperature at which water has its greatest density (39 degrees Fahrenheit).

The BTU is often used as a quantitative specification for the energy-producing or energy-transferring capability of heating and cooling systems such as furnaces, ovens, refrigerators, and air conditioners.

You may not really care about BTUs or what they mean, but I just turned on the furnace. Took the coverplates off. Lit the pilot. And then…


Unless I’m mistaken, this marks the first time that I’ve had to light a furnace. I’ve always had a parental unit or apartment complex maintenance person to deal with it before. But, that’s not the point. The point is: The house is now warm and toasty! And, with snow on the mountains and a possibility of snow here in the valley tonight, a warm and toasty house is a good thing.

NPR and Other News
Morning Edition – Net Connects Cross-Atlantic Hip-Hop Duo
Talk of the Nation – U.K. Letters Aim to Influence Undecided Ohio Voters
All Things Considered – Tight Rules May Create Imbalanced Flu Vaccine Supply
Fresh Air – President Carter Tries Hand at Fiction

USA Today – Rabbits run Louisiana man out of his house

Stray Toasters

And that’s a wrap.

Namaste.