The children were outside discovering
\nwhat Northern children have learned
\nafresh after every snowfall: snow
\ncreates low gravity. Any of them
\ncould express the formula kinetically
\nby leaping onto a pile of the stuff:
\nthe soft landing demonstrates the principle
\nthat gravity is very grave until
\nyou take a run at a honkin’ big pile of it.
\nThen hear the giggles and the sillies
\nthe happen as a group of children roll
\nand tumble in the excitement of
\nso much fun and so little gravity.
\nThis surprises Southerners who have never
\nseen nor heard such levity. And how
\nastonished they are to see children drift
\nup, let go of laws and rules and dance
\nwith the snow, where joy lofts them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our recent snowfall, and the recent column about King of the Castle, the children’s game, reminded me that what Northerners take for granted may surprise Southerners and at the same time, teach us a little advanced physics in the fantastical realm. (#1003) Continue reading