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Friday, September 20, 2024

Andy Williams with the Osmond Brothers: "Good Morning Starshine"

As a kid I had a transistor radio. Good grief, but that statement dates me! Do any of you younguns even know what a transistor radio was? The reception and sound quality weren't great, but that wasn't the point. The point was, you could take your music with you wherever you went. And I did, the wrist strap wrapped firmly around my wrist.

...all of which is preface. One day, not long after my illness, I was listening to my beloved transistor when this record came on. I absolutely loved it. Don't recall what comment I made to Mom, but she bought me the cassette issue of the album, _Get Together with Andy Williams_. Eventually wore it out, I played it so much.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Not only beautiful, Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night"fits models of atmospheric and fluid dynamics

A new study finds that "Starry Night," painted by Dutch Post-Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh in 1889, perfectly fits current models of atmospheric and fluid dynamics.

Study author Dr. Huang Yongxiang said, "It [the painting] reveals a deep and intuitive understanding of natural phenomena. Van Gogh’s precise representation of turbulence might be from studying the movement of clouds and the atmosphere or an innate sense of how to capture the dynamism of the sky.”

I have always loved "Starry Night." This scientific study only serves to deepen my awe at Van Gogh's talent and insight.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Honesty Chez Catreona

Honesty, also called Money Plant or Silver Dollar Plant, is a flowering plant in the cabbage and mustard family native to central and southern Europe. Introduced to England in the late Sixteenth Century, soon after Honesty came to our shores with the Pilgrims.

It thrives in moist, partially shaded locations. In late Spring into Summer, the plant blooms with a profusion of dark pink flowers. At this time of year, the flowers have given way to paper-thin seed pods that take on a silver sheen as they dry.

Sunday, September 08, 2024

Faith and Justice Matter to Harris and Walz

Amid all the discussion of the Harris-Walz campaign's wide and warm inclusiveness, till now I had heard nothing about faith-based outreach and inclusion. But, unsurprisingly, this well organized, disciplined and focused campaign is on it. At the end of August Sojourners published an article about Rev. Jen Butler, the campaign's faith outreach director. True to form, they got the best.

A veteran of the Obama administration as well as many years of organizing and interfaith discourse, Rev. Butler is a solid addition to the stellar Harris-Walz organization.

Be Opened! - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Feelin' Kinda Sunday

Saturday, September 07, 2024

"Saturday Night In Knightsbridge"

Wildlife Chez Catreona

When they went out yesterday morning, Dad and Sis spotted a large praying mantis on the back bumper of the car. It sat for its portrait before, with a little encouragement from Dad, it flew off into the grass.

You never know what you might see in the wilds of Springfield! I'm not a bug fancier myself, but some readers may find it interesting.