Beautiful bubbles... of ice!
The weather rollercoaster has left the station, taking with it the wildly fluctuating temperatures. Those ups and downs had us dealing with more than our share of ice: it fell from the sky, coated trees, froze underfoot and made walking treacherous.
A few days ago, I receive a photo of something frozen that trumps all the ice we’ve been dealing with this week! Catherine Hamilton submitted the photo, but first she made the bubble!
Believe it or not, with a little patience and a few ingredients you probably already have at home, you could create one too!
You’ll need:
• 1 c of warm water
• 2 Tbps of corn syrup
• 2 Tbsps of liquid dish soap
• 2 Tbsps of white sugar
• 1 plastic straw
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and put it in the freezer; after about 30 minutes, take it out and give it a good stir.
You’ll need a cold surface on which to land your bubbles. You can do this outside on a very cold day, in an area sheltered from the wind or you can put a cookie sheet in the freezer for a few hours before you begin and try to land the bubbles on the frozen surface.
Now you’re set! Don’t be too disappointed if many of your bubbles burst, it does take some patience!
As is so often the case with nature’s beauty, there’s a nice science lesson here…
Every bubble is made up of three layers: a thin layer of water molecules squished between two layers of soapy water. It might look like the entire surface of the bubble is freezing, but only that soapy middle layer is! The water freezes at a warmer temperature than the soapy water, so it turns to ice inside the soapy film.
These beauties don’t last long. As ice crystals form on the bubble’s surface, tiny cracks appear allowing the air that’s trapped inside to escape. As the air seeps out, the pressure drops and that drop in internal pressure causes the bubble to implode!
Catherine says: “I also find it amazing how many varieties of different ones you can get. It really is fun to do and you never know what designs will appear”.
That sounds like a challenge to me. Time to put down your phone, gather the kids around… and blow some bubbles! sert, tea and coffee. There will be bar services, door prizes and entertainment. It is sponsored by the Port Williams and District Lions Club in support of its commitment to the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation for a visitor chairs for families in the Medical B unit. For tickets, which are $45 per couple, contact any member of the Lions Club or call 542-3933. (Storm date: Feb. 15)
If you would like to see what recreation programs are offered this winter (and into March) not just for Port Williams but by the county and other communities, just go to the recreation page and download the Kings County Recreation Guide Winter 2018. In Loving Memory of Phil Lake Lake, Phil - Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia on June 4, 1948 and passed away in Harcourt Park, Ontario on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2017. At this point what we know is that Phil was walking home from the neighbours at 10:30 pm and it seems he tripped and fell, rendering him unconscious and he unfortunately he did not wake up before he passed away from exposure.
Phil was 69. He is survived by his daughter Pamela Lake (John), son Jason Lake (Cassandra) and by his grandchildren Dylan Meade (Bailey), James Meade (Alyssa), and ShayLeigh Lake. Phil is predeceased by his partner Brenda Bartlett(2014) (her children Kim and Karen Barlett). He is also survived by his sisters and brothers, Barbara, Jean, Joyce, Carol, Mona, Victor, Edith, William (Billy), Garnet, Kenneth (Kenny), Peggy, Wifred(deceased), Shalana (Shirley) (deceased), by their families, and also by his former wife Millicent Lake. He was our best friend and best father you can have. We did everything together. ‘ My dad and I often worked together and hunting was our main bonding times and good times we had”. He taught my sister and I so much in life. Pam and the kids would come to the lake and visit dad to share good times. He loved all his friends in Harcourt Park. They broke the mould with Phil. His one liners made everyone laugh and he was always up beat and full of life. He is gone way to early. We will miss you so much and we love you. A Party to celebrate Phil’s Life was held at the Bonnie View Inn, 2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Rd., Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0 (1-705-4572350) on Saturday, January 27, 2018 beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at closing. A buffet dinner and beverages was served and accommodations to stay over were arranged by contacting the Bonnie View Inn. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0.