Sunday, March 31, 2019

Northern Lights - Amazing Phenomenon

From some random person's Facebook post. Lucky I found it! Magnificent.  No wonder the ancients thinking conceived the idea and belief in miracles.


"A crack in the Earth's magnetic field over the weekend (not uncommon around the Equinox) allowed the Solar Wind to pour in over Norway. The result? A fantastic display of the Northern Lights, that look like it's almost flowing to the ground! Very cool. (spaceweather.com)"


Sunday, February 3, 2019

Super Bowl Sunday miscellaneous fun

hermadphrodite cardinal reported in news

Lo-Tech Solutions.com - no more cord snakes while you vacuum

My mom and dad actually said all of these things to me when I was little.

Valley Village rainbow yesterday at 5PM - lots of rain

The best response to TechFear and screen time

Don't have to worry about screen time...yet?


It  looks like grownups can disregard the fear-mongering about the ill effects of digital media on kids. A 2017 study in Child Development found “little or no support for harmful links between digital screen use and young people’s psychological well-being.” Parents can police their kids’ smartphone use if they like, but they should know such restrictions aren’t evidence-based. As authors Andrew Przybylski and Netta Weinstein explain, “a critical cost-benefit analysis is needed to determine whether setting firm limits constitutes a judicious use of caregiver and professional resources.”
"Human beings always mediate their experiences through tools."
From "Nautilus" on-line magazine. The real question is, "What is the best way to spend one's time?"  3 hours playing video games or 1 hour of games and 2 hours of outdoor play, reading, or volunteer work - how's that?


Saturday, January 26, 2019

Monarchs are passing/Some favorite images and ideas

The total number of West Coast monarchs was estimated at approximately 4.5 million in the 1980s. In the latest count, that number fell to 28,429, dipping below the number scientists estimate is needed to keep the population going. This drastic decline indicates the migration is collapsing. 

-  NYT, 10-26-19









Sunday, November 18, 2018

Hockney Sells for $80M







This is about the end of a relationship, i think.  The man in the salmon jacket seems to begin a grave Japanese-style bow, his body held rather tensely, his arms parallel, the feet revealing a slight pigeon-toe. His gaze assesses - this is what I have wrought.
 He isn't dressed for poolside; he just stopped by, he will be leaving soon, going on to afternoon cocktails at the beach.  

Set at hillside's edge, the pool is elevated; it tops a mountain of its own, the vista of forever stretches beyond its deck. It's warm, the sun is fresh and high, all sparkles and all is still. The light breaks up the water's movement into puzzle pieces - the swimmer's search for passage through is ended. The pool is the grave, the body floats in blue eternity, limbs sprawling; it will never again need to draw breath.

The young man bids farewell. He waits until it ends for him, he can say no more.  He will turn on his heel and  make his leave-taking a recessional. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Matisse and the Yu'pik: Dance Masks, Heard Museum


Henri Matisse, White Mask on Black Background (Masque blanc sur fond noir) ©2018 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS) New York



Central Yup'ik, Lower Yukon, Alaska. Dance mask, representing the Moon




Central Yup’ik, Napaskiaq Village, Kuskokwim River, Alaska. Wanelnguq dance mask c. 1900. Wood, feathers, pigment. Collection of the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, 9/3432. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.