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| [Sad Truth] Ethics change with technology. |
 [November 11th is Veterans Day] It marks the anniversary of the end of the First World War – the war to end all wars, on November 11 at 11 am in 1918.This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans. All citizens owe an unpayable debt to all our military. Going forward let’s not send our servicemen and women off to war or conflict zones unless it is overwhelmingly justifiable and on moral high ground. The men of WWII were the greatest generation, perhaps Korea the forgotten, Vietnam the trampled, Cold War unsung and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan vets underestimated. Every generation has proved itself to be worthy to stand up to the precedent of the greatest generation. Going back to the Revolution, American soldiers have been the best in the world. Let’s all take a remembrance for all veterans who served or are serving, peace time or wartime and gone or still with us. |
 [Humus] Recent research has shown that the smell of humus exerts a physiological effect on humans. Breathing in the scent of Mother Earth stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, the same chemical that promotes bonding between mother and child and between lovers. |
| [Downstairs Enclosures] The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners voted to eliminate the longstanding 299-square-foot limitation for enclosed storage space below elevated homes in unincorporated Monroe County, as well as the requirement for an inspection at the time of sale. County code amendments to formalize these changes are now being processed and are expected to take effect in late January or early February 2026. Until that time, all current rules, including the 299-square-foot limit, remain in effect. Those seeking to construct more than 299 square feet of space under their homes may submit building permit applications now, but the permits cannot be issued until the new code amendments take effect (anticipated in late January/early February). Applicants should submit a signed, notarized copy of the acknowledgement form with their permit application. The form can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/flood. Under the upcoming changes, downstairs enclosures must still be used only for limited storage, parking, or access to the building. They cannot be converted into habitable living space under federal floodplain regulations. Property owners seeking permits to expand storage enclosures will continue to be required to sign a recorded non-conversion agreement, which documents allowable uses and ensures that future buyers have a clear record of permitted improvements. “This is a major step forward for Monroe County residents,” said Growth Management Director Emily Schemper. “Removing the size restriction will give homeowners more flexibility while maintaining compliance with federal flood regulations and protecting our community.” People are happy because now they have more room to keep their stuff safe and dry under their house! |
 grunt like tennis players. They take the pecking that we see all birds doing and take it to the extreme. Link |
| [Courage, Hope, Determination] Sometimes you spend all your time looking for a thing you thought was lost when really, you had it in your pocket all along. It‘s that way with courage, and hope, and determination. Don’t forget to check your pockets. |
 Wendigo stories reinforced the taboo against cannibalism, when the madness of hunger and isolation rustled at the edge of winter lodges. Suc- cumbing to such a repulsive urge doomed the gnawer of bones to wander as a Wendigo for the rest of time. It is said that the Wendigo will never enter the spirit world but will suffer the eternal pain of need, its essence a hunger that will never be sated. The more a Wendigo eats, the more ravenous it becomes. It shrieks with its craving, its mind a torture of unmet want. |
| [Culture Police] It is so annoying when someone wants to shop in our socialization isle. Really what is your hurry? Here is a novel concept, try saying excuse me and the Isle will magically open up. I do however agree with you about inconsiderate people playing music loud enough to be heard inside of your own home. Monroe County does have a strict noise ordinance. Getting it enforced is another thing altogether. |
 Amusing photos of some of nature’s critters. Link |
| [Sleep Myths] Here are four common sleep myths, refuted by scientific studies. Link |
 [The Edmund Fitzgerald] This year marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest and most famous of the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes. But the Fitzgerald is remembered while the others are forgotten, thanks in large part to Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting 1976 folk ballad that became a surprise hit.The Fitzgerald, a 730-foot long freighter named after a Milwaukee insurance company executive, went down in Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975. All 29 men on board died. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald — Gordon Lightfoot |
 [Cold] It was so cold this morning that when I looked out the window there were mourning doves ice skating on the frozen new ponds. |
| [Jar Of Bones] Fishermen in the Florida Keys found a jar containing bones that was submerged in water in Key Largo. The Monroe County Medical Examiner is looking at the bones to determine if there are any human remains. The jar also contained railroad spikes and horseshoes. |
 When I complained to Amazon about a missing parcel, they asked me to send photographic evidence. This is what I sent them. |
| [Movies – Nuremberg] Russell Crowe has a malevolent charm as the Nazi on trial in a compelling new film. His co-stars and director explain how they understood this monster – and the persistence of evil today. Link |
 [The ‘Toy Story’ You Remember] Animation Obsessive. Toy Story used to look different. It’s a little tricky to explain. Back in 1995, CG animation was the topic in the industry, and Pixar was central to the hype. The studio had already shifted Disney to computers and won the first Oscar for a CG short (Tin Toy). Giant movies like Jurassic Park incorporated Pixar’s software. The next step was Toy Story, billed as the first animated feature to go all-CG. Even after Pixar’s successes, that was a risk. Would a fully digital movie sell tickets? Link |
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 [Fake Diet Drugs] Crime gangs in UK making weight-loss drugs with ‘sophisticated’ fake branding. Medicines watchdog says criminals are designing packaging and branding to look like legitimate product. Link |
| China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months. World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity. Link |
 [When Soviet-Made Cars Roamed Singapore Roads] The first Lada cars, known as Lada 1200 of model VAZ 2101, also arrived at Singapore in 1977. With its appearance highly resembling Fiat 124Sn, the Lada 1200 was the Russian version of the 124Sn. After the Soviet Union bought the Fiat manufacturing plant in the sixties, the Fiat 124Sn model was discontinued. Link |
| [Things that are People Too] It’s widely known that Corporations are People. This is universally agreed to be a good thing; I list Target as my emergency contact and I hope it will one day be the best man at my wedding. But there are other, less well known non-human entities that have also been accorded the rank of person. Ships, for example, are accorded limited legal person rights, primarily so that they can be impounded and their property seized if they do something wrong. In the eyes of the Law they are people so that they can later be defendants; their rights are constrained to those associated with due process, like the right to post a bond and the right to trial. Link |
 [Marble Fountain] My initial system came together quickly. Randomly placing spaced out points, drawing a spline through them, and setting a constant slope just works. My first draft was just subtracting a tube from the solid support structure which worked but was super limited. I wanted to add more parts and so I started working on a path solver. I wanted to fit as much motion into the volume of the printer as possible. This turned out to be extremely challenging. Video |
| The current Coconut Telegraph was published on 11/11/25 at 7:57 am. |