I must have stars in my eyes because this is another astronomical post. I saw this story (click on the graphic for the animation) in the New York Times article on 2013: The Year in Interactive Storytelling. The story talks about the planets outside of our solar system that have been discovered by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft. I do love a good info-graphic and find the animated planets just fascinating. There is more to the story here.
This is a page from Galileo’s notebook. On this day in 1610, he recorded his observations of the moons of Jupiter, noting that they did not behave as stars, but appeared to travel with the planet. It was this and other observations that cause Galileo trouble with the church. They are also the reason his name and work endure today – 404 years later. While Galileo was able to discern Jupiter’s 4 largest moons, the actual number of this planet’s moons is 50 or more. Thanks to Lights in the Dark for this reference.
No, not really in space.
But one of the places we visited while in Virginia was the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum – and, if you have been there, you will know that it is spectacular! The space is immense, but with sky walks, stairs and balconies, it is easy to navigate. There were a lot of people there the day we visited. The logical way the exhibits are laid out – and quality of the light and airiness of the space – contributed to a very pleasant experience.
Here are some more photos – but go there if you can.
Want to know how big the space shuttle is? That is my almost six foot tall person standing there under it.
Since the topic is related to Air & Space, let me mention the 80th birthday of Flash Gordon:
Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934. Ref. Wiki.
And this week’s Tattoo Tuesday photo:
It snowed . . . and I found these snow people sitting in the Adirondack chairs in the backyard. They look comfy.
I invited them to come inside, but they gave me the cold shoulder.
Cmdr. Sam Vimes helped me get ready for Christmas. I made white silk scarves and the fringe, I understand, was fascinating.
Happy New Year!
On December 23, the Night of the Radishes is celebrated in Oaxaca. These impressive root vegetables are left in the ground past their normal harvesting time allowing them to assume fantastic sizes and shapes. Thought to have originated in 1897 as a strategy by market stand owners to lure worshipers to shop on their way home from church, Oaxacans since that time have been carving radishes into sculptures that are sometimes realistic and sometimes fanciful.
Often the sculptures depict a nativity scene.
But not always.
The festival does not end on December 23, but continues through the Christmas holidays in a curious blending of a harvest festival and religious observance.
To learn 10 facts about radishes, here is an article from the Daily Express.
This time, the Bakery Blogumentary features Honey Fluff Donuts in Ukiah, California. In August, we took a road trip from Portland, Oregon to San Diego, California. While driving on Rt 101 near Ukiah, California, we spotted this sign from the road and said, “donuts!” in unison.
It was lunchtime. We had to stop. And there were donuts.
And more donuts.
And, I never would have guessed it, but they also had noodle bowls.
And so did we.
It’s worth a stop.
Just about anything would be better than a FEMA trailer, but look at this from Preservation Nation. It is an article about Lustron pre-fabricated homes . . .
“They were literally building the American dream.
In the late 1940s, soldiers returning from World War II dreamed of the idyllic life: a happy family, a lovely suburban home. But the post-war period instead brought a housing crisis. In response, Lustron promised a dream house — signed, sealed, delivered.”
I think these homes are a wonderful example of mid-20th century style, design and ingenuity. It’s like IKEA for the 50s.
“It has a sort of late ‘40s, ‘50s new modern America appeal,” says Megan Wood of the Ohio Historical Society. “And you don’t have to paint it, you can clean the walls with windex, and you can hang things with magnets.”
I think it is interesting that out of 3000 homes built, about 1500 still survive, including the one pictured above, that is in Indiana.
I think these houses are charming and it is unfortunate that dodgy financing forced the company into bankruptcy in 1950.
June, Ward and the Beev
I’m not . . . today I am sappy dog blogging with this beautiful and touching nativity scene. I especially love the three kings. And the sheep.
Firearms, fibers, any news or behaviors that make me say, "hmm, let me take another look at this."
I still miss my man, but my aim is getting better.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 