Archive for October, 2019
How am I flying?
October 31, 2019
What is tattoo Tuesday about?
October 29, 2019Although it was first patented in 1888, and again in 1938 and 1943, the first ballpoint pens were sold in the U.S. on this date in 1945.
There was some jostling to get the first ballpoint pen to market, and the winner was the Reynolds International Pen Company. When the pen was introduced in Gimbel Bros. in New York, TIME magazine wrote,
In Manhattan’s Gimbel Bros., Inc., thousands of people all but trampled one another last week to spend $12.50 each for a new fountain pen. The pen was made by Chicago’s Reynolds International Pen Co. In full-page ads, Gimbel’s modestly hailed it as the “fantastic, atomic era, miraculous pen.” It had a tiny ball bearing instead of a point, was guaranteed to need refilling only once every two years, would write under water (handy for mermaids), on paper, cloth, plastic or blotters.
I looked for a ballpoint pen tattoo, but only found these cousins . . .
What did I see this weekend?
October 28, 2019
We went to the apple orchard, but there was so much more . . .
So many Apple Fritters
Pies, dumplings . . .
and donuts, and, and, and . . .
What are they eating?
October 24, 2019
I was waiting for a ride the other day when I saw a flock of house sparrows (or in this case hospital sparrows – (they were on the lawn of Rainbow B & C Hospital) – eating what I thought was a mushroom cap. It turns out it was half a bagel. Who know they liked deli?
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Where am I sleeping?
October 23, 2019
For a limited time, you can reserve a night on the Goodyear blimp, Wingfoot One through Airbnb.
Accommodations include a comfy living room and sleeping space. The listing notes that it also includes hangers, wifi and free parking.
What the reservation does not include, however is a ride on blimp . . . or a bathroom, apparently.
But, if you act fast, it does include a ticket to the Michigan State – Notre Dame football game.
What am I throwing down?
October 23, 2019
I know this is an ad, but as a potter I am just blown away by that fellow blithely throwing 40 pounds of clay (!) I did notice that the throwers are all men and the decorators are all women . . . . Anyway I get to open my kiln tonight. It is only a bisque firing, but I do have some tiles with under glaze on them that I am anxious to see.
What am I celebrating on tattoo Tuesday?
October 22, 2019
I am celebrating the launching of the USS Constitution on October 21, 1979. (So yesterday was the launch 222 years ago, but I am posting it today.)
The ship was built in Edmund Hartt’s shipyard in Boston for a cost of $302,718.
On October 17, the ship was underway for her last trip around Boston Harbor until 2108. U.S.S. Constitution will be open for limited viewing until entering dry dock in March, 2015 for a three-year long restoration project that is estimated to cost between $12 and $15 million.
During the restoration, workers are expected to re-copper the ship’s hull, replace worn riggings, change out old planks on the gun and berth decks and make general repairs to the stern, bow and captain’s cabin. The ship is expected to be back in the water by 2017. By spring or summer 2018 it should return to its familiar spot on Pier 1 at the Navy Yard. Ref. Fox News.
U.S.S. Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship afloat.
Constitution ’s stated mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy’s role in war and peace through educational outreach, historic demonstration, and active participation in public events. As a fully commissioned US Navy ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year round and providing free tours. The officers and crew are all active-duty US Navy personnel and the assignment is considered special duty in the Navy. Traditionally, command of the vessel is assigned to a Navy Commander. Constitution is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at one end of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Ref. Wikipedia
And some tattoos:
Kudos for the full Boston –
Gunsmoke and Knitting 