Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
More Halloween Trivia
According to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack. Because he tricked the devil several times, he was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.
The mysterious Houdini died on Halloween night in 1926.
In the pre-Halloween Samhein days, large bonfires were lite to encourage the sun to return in the spring. Druids would throw cows bones in the fire for good luck. These so called 'bone fires' are the root for the word 'bonfire.'
Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday of the year.
Evidence suggests the traditions are as old as 4000 BC.
The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” In fact, wiccan were highly respected people at one time
France, Australia and other countries condemn Halloween as an example of unwanted American influence.
The Roman holiday of Pomona, the harvest goddess, influenced modern Halloween games like bobbing for apples.
Halloween comments
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
~Scottish Saying
There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. ~George Carlin
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
Last stump!
After clearing nearly 3 quarters acre of dense weed and impenetrable brush, the last removed stump (scores were eliminated) meets its fate. The 72 year old celebrated with the dogs on hand. Well done old sod!
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Day Light Savings
The implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin conceived of the idea. Even today, regions and countries routinely change their approaches to Daylight Saving Time. Ugh!
Saturday, October 26, 2019
'Father' Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean, BlackAdder, is an extreme talent, do in large part to his IQ of 178. Over the years he has done some hysterical religious pieces. Need to cheer up? Have a laugh, watch
Friday, October 25, 2019
quote
In the 20th century, the United States endured two world wars and other traumatic and expensive military conflicts; the Depression; a dozen or so recessions and financial panics; oil shocks; a flu epidemic; and the resignation of a disgraced president. Yet the Dow rose from 66 to 27000
~~Warren Buffett
~~Warren Buffett
IOOF
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 1700s, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were far less common.
"There is an IOOF lodge in Washington Ct that has the same look as one in Colliers, Wv.
A bit surprising?" JPR
"There is an IOOF lodge in Washington Ct that has the same look as one in Colliers, Wv.
A bit surprising?" JPR
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Two prisms with light
This basic affect of bending light through two prisms was first done by Sir Issac Newton while a student. He was awarded the highest award in science at that time ( before the Noble prize was invented).
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
bee humminbird babies
Monday, October 21, 2019
Impossible colors
Residing in the visual cortex of our brain, the two opponent neurons function in a binary way: red-green opponent can signal either red or green, while blue-yellow opponent signal either blue or yellow. These neurons cannot signal both the colors at a time. The neurons won’t let you see blue and yellow at a time nor red and green, the combination of which is known as impossible colors.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Crime and salvation...1887
Young girl prayed for the redemption of convicted murder Henri Pranzini in Paris. The man kissed the crucifix just before kneeling at the guillotine for the killing of 3 women. This girl would later be cannonized as St Therese of lisieux.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Boredom and Homo Erectus.
Zig-zag patterns found on a fossilized shell in Indonesia may be the earliest engraving by a human ancestor. The engraving is at least 430,000 years old, and done by the long-extinct Homo erectus. The oldest man-made markings previously found were about 130,000 years old. it could "rewrite human history". The engravings were made before fossilization, when the mussel was fresh between 430,000 and 540,000 years ago. The discovery could confirm theories that Homo erectus had significant manual dexterity and greater cognitive abilities than previously thought. If nothing else it proves boredom is a long standing human problem.
Friday, October 18, 2019
A single lightning strike on 5.1.12
A
piece wise linear fit shows the classical shape of wave dispersion for the transient magnetic flux from a lightning strike with a peak range of +/- 0.2
μTesla over 1.68 min duration. Captured on our magnetic telescope. Not bad for a high school physics class project!
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Time of Roses by Thomas Hood
It was not in the Winter
Our loving lot was cast;
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
That churlish season never frown'd
On early lovers yet:
O no—the world was newly crown'd
With flowers when first we met!
'Twas twilight, and I bade you go,
But still you held me fast;
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
That churlish season never frown'd
On early lovers yet:
O no—the world was newly crown'd
With flowers when first we met!
'Twas twilight, and I bade you go,
But still you held me fast;
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Irish Yoke
“I’ve Lost Me Luggage”
An Irishman arrived at J.F.K. Airport and wandered around the terminal with
tears streaming down his cheeks.
An airline employee asked him if he was already homesick. “No,” replied the Irishman. “I’ve lost all me luggage!”
“How’d that happen?” Asked the attendant.
“The cork fell out!” said the Irishman.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Only the Irish.
Shay Bradley had a dying wish that had his family and friends laughing at his funeral in Dublin. The former Irish defence forces veteran pretends to be trapped inside his coffin and is heard knocking frantically, trying to get out. Coming from a speaker on the ground his voice boomed from his grave: "Hello, hello, hello... let me out!" There is then some swearing which sends the mourners into fits of laughter. Hysterical.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Life in ancient Roma
The insulae, often consisting of six to eight apartment blocks built around a staircase and central courtyard, housed poor workers who couldn't afford a traditional domus or house. Landlords would rent out the very bottom spots to shops, much like modern apartment buildings
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Murderer to saint?
Description
Servant of God Jacques Fesch was the murderer of a French police officer, who became such a devout Roman Catholic while in prison awaiting execution that he has been proposed for beatification.
Born: April 6, 1930, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
Died: October 1, 1957, La Santé Prison, Paris, France
Friday, October 11, 2019
Caen Hill water locks
There are 29 locks which give a rise of 237 feet in 2 miles to water canal in England.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Rihanna Gibbons
Rhiannon Gidden is a founding member of the country, blues and old-time music band Carolina Chocolate Drops, she is the lead singer, violinist, and banjo player. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, an alumna of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she’s a 2000 graduate of Oberlin Conservatory at Oberlin College, where she studied opera.
Mixed race, her career began in Celtic music bands, she lives in Ireland. A rare talent. Listen
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