The third cup

Hi neighbors. We've started the new year out by sending another rover to Mars. Scientists keep hoping there will be life discovered there; or water or at least some indication water was once there.

I think if they want to prove there is water or life on Mars, they should just put out a coffee pot with coffee in it and wait for a Martian to show up with the water. Any intelligent Martian would appreciate a good cup of coffee.

As much as I admire the technology, dedication and ingenuity involved in putting the rover on Mars, I must admit I wasn't too impressed with the pictures. One reporter on a late night TV talk show asked why the ground looked red. It was explained that an element in the soil made the red hue. And here I thought rover Spirit was just using rose colored glasses to view the landscape.

Whatever the reason Mars is red, we can now see it in its true colors. Bill Nye the "Science Guy" helped build the color 'checker' for the photos. He also made a sun dial so we can tell what time it is on Mars.

I don't know about any of you, but I don't have any appointments on Mars in my date book. No standing commitments on my Martian calendar. I guess what time it is on Mars is import to Bill Nye at least.

Mars isn't as large as Earth; but still it must seem like a big, lonely place for Spirit. Maybe that's why NASA has another rover landing on Mars soon. Opportunity, the second rover won't be much company though. Like mismatched soul mates on Earth, the two rovers will be on opposites sides of the planet and most likely will never meet.

Like some mythological tragedy, the two mechanical Earth-things on Mars are doomed to wander about all their techno lives muttering to themselves loud enough for NASA eavesdroppers to overhear, kicking up dust and peeking under rocks.

Seems a bit sad doesn't it? Still, they might stumble across a Beagle during their travels. If it is able to communicate, I wonder if Spirit and Opportunity will understand Beagle's accent.

Spirit landed in the middle of what scientists hope was once a lake. I don't recall what Opportunity's destination is.

One news announcer said they had equipment on Mars now that could tell them the weather. I thought the weather was either hot or cold? Maybe throw in windy now and then. Not much chance of rain or even a cloudy day.

Wouldn't it be great if they found some frost though? Frost and fossils are really all they need to call the mission more than successful. Life on Mars! Even life long since extinct is still proof of life off Earth.

How would you react to that discovery?

What would it mean to our understanding of the solar system? Our beliefs? Ourselves? If they find water on Mars, how will that affect us here on Earth? Can all those long held dreams of science and science fiction depicting human colonies on Mars actually be feasible? If it is decided to build a city on Mars, I hope they let some group besides NASA pick the people to live in it. I know scientists and engineers will have to be in charge of the designs and NASA will have to furnish transportation.

But everything they do is paid for by the tax payers. Instead, I suggest they build the city, then rent it out as a bed and breakfast resort for the very, very rich. They would gladly pay several millions each for a half a year on Mars. I for one, would be glad to let them do it.

Why should science have all the fun? Personally, I plan on staying on Earth.

At least I know most of the wildlife here and what to expect from it. As unpleasant as mosquitoes are, I understand what they're after. I don't care how air tight or secure a home on Mars might be, there is no place a fly or a mosquito can't get into. I just know if there are any bugs at all on Mars, they would find their way into my room, and make strange buzzing or crickety-type noises to keep me awake.

Until the next time friends remember; although there may still be hardy pioneers, curious scientists or wealthy travel patrons some where on Earth; until there's a Starbucks on Mars, I'm staying home.