A Colonial Abortion Drama via Boston 1775 and metafilter

Welcome to the Spock Casa - getting wired up at the coffee shop, down with kareoke, or just relaxing with James at the pool. (The above are YouTube links) more inside

TVfolk.net hosts videos from a variety of Finnish traditional (and not so traditional) folk groups, as well as from many other Northern European countries - over 400 videos in all. And if you like what you hear, several of the artists are sold (at least in the US) through North Side, Nordic roots music, where there are mp3s and more information on the performers. (via metafilter) more inside

Eurovision 2006 - Preview the videos (direct link, with snarky British commentary), marvel at the "the incredible car-crash television". more inside

Unexpected images: a water-damaged camera produces images of wonder and colour. more inside

Exporting green and leafy water Agricultural exports, including fresh fruit and vegetables, are an important source of income for many developing countries, but also threaten the future of those same producers. "Irrigated agriculture accounts for 70% of the freshwater used globally", while only a part returns to the environment. It isn't just in Africa; in India and in North America, all over the globe, water supplies are being stretched to the point of near breaking. more inside

My mother's brownies and other delicious homey food from the 1918 Fannie Farmer Cookbook. more inside

Cartographic Curiosities and other maps from the Yale Map collection.

After the flood - This American Life brings individual stories from the convention centre, from the bridge to Gretna, about what it's like to be without water for days, about what the future might hold. via metafilter more inside

Louisiana's wetlands - gone with the water. An October 2004 National Geographic article on Louisiana's disappearing coastal marshes, and how that could lead to the destruction and flooding of the city in a hurricane. more inside

The "Renegade" Bus - the first bus of refugees to arrive at the AstroDome in Houston - driven by a young man who picked up strangers to save - mostly children. Amazing photos from slight clutter at flickr. Buses that were still in the city. more inside

You like to think of yourself as a bit different, and you are carried by host-specific mammalian ticks. Results for "which X are you?" type quizzes by flashboy.

A English guinea pig farm has closed recently following six years of harassment, including the theft of a relative's remains, all by animal activists. Photos and reactions. more inside

The Face of Hope. Birhan Woldu, once a three year old on the edge of death who became "the face of famine" in Ethiopia, has grown up to be a dedicated young woman, in her second year of Agricultural College. more inside

Literature Online. From Adams to Zola, including Aesop, Forster, and Montgomery (some of my favorites). more inside

Obesity, genes and lifestyle. Scientists say genes are often the culprit, not necessarily for the growing incidence of obesity, but for who is more likely to become obese. more inside

Gypsy Travellers in Britain have a long history, but continue to face a great deal of prejudice. Many people are angry when they camp on public land, but when they try to buy land for sites, they are refused local planning permission. more inside

Comixpedia presents A History of Online Comics. The prehistory is the most interesting bit.

Surviving being Eaten by a Whale - "Once inside, sit tight and try not to touch anything if at all possible. Gastric processes are invasive and skin does not recover well from encounters with digestive fluids."

Residence rules. When you just really need to know what avunculocal means. With diagrams. more inside