It’s Friday and time for Sappy Cat Blogging:
What had me in stitches?
April 12, 2012
Reference to this article in Embroidery. Thanks to Kevin at the Oregon College of Art and Craft for finding the link.
I loved the interpretation of commercial packaging in fabric – a new way of looking at everyday objects much in keeping with traditional handcrafts for the home.
What am I looking into?
April 12, 2012Pointing at a seemingly empty area of the sky, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a surprise in deep space. Thanks, C, for this cool video.
What am I Sappy Cat Blogging about this week?
April 6, 2012
Once again it is new kitty, Sam Vimes. Here he right climbs up on the tray to get to the food using the overhead approach to eating. He’s still keeping me hopping, but relationships with the established cats are much improved.
Whose declaration do we celebrate today?
April 4, 2012
The Declaration of Breda, signed on April 4,1660, paved the way for Charles II to return to the throne of England. The document was sufficiently ambiguous that it allowed former allies of Cromwell to support the return of the monarchy – a stunning political document.
Charles II
Breda is not only city in the Netherlands, for those of you who know Breda, she is also stunning.
What burner am I celebrating today?
March 31, 2012
March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day – commemorating the birth in 1811 of German chemist Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen, the inventor (refiner) of the laboratory device that bears his name.
I relate the tale of when I was in college chemistry lab. We were doing something with hydrochloric acid that involved heating it in a test tube over a – you guessed it – Bunsen burner. I was working next to a nice fellow whose name I do not remember. I do remember that the acid in my test tube kept boiling and shooting out of the test tube, showering my lab neighbor with a fine spray of hot hydrochloric acid. I do remember him saying, “Oh, Oo, Ow.” I do remember apologizing over and over. I do remember him being very gracious. I also remember seeing a number of small holes begin to appear in his clothing. I did not point that out to him. Anyway, lab neighbor from the past, I am still sorry and hope you have suffered no lasting consequences.
So a salute to Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen, who made this laboratory escapade possible.
Flame on!
Which brother am I celebrating today?
March 31, 2012There are:
Brothers in Arms
Band of Brothers
The Blues Brothers (we’re on a mission from God)
The Clancy Brothers
Parker Brothers (gamey)
The Everly Brothers
The Brothers Four
The Brothers Grimm
Brothers and Sisters
Dr. Joyce Brothers
Brother Cadfael
Big Brother
Lever Brothers
Primanti Brothers (yum)
The Smith Brothers
Pine Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Brother Sewing Machines
The Wright Brothers (flighty)
Ringling Brothers
Warner Brothers
Brother Thelonius Belgian Style Abbey Ale
Brothers of the Holy Cross (holy)
Einstein Brothers Bagels (holey)
Franciscan Brothers
The Marx Brothers
Rooster Brothers Coffee Roasters (Ellsworth, ME)
Other Brothers
TODAY we celebrate my brother, born on March 30.
Happy Birthday, Robert!
What am I sappy cat blogging this week?
March 30, 2012Sappy cat blogging and knitting combine in this book: Knit Your Own Cat by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne.
There is a dog book, too.
For whose closeup am I ready?
March 27, 2012
Happy Birthday to Gloria Swanson, born March 27, 1897
Swanson was a prominent silent film actress. Unfortunately, many of her films, including those which received the greatest critical acclaim, have not survived. Later in her career, she became known for her portrayal of Nora Desmond, a caricature of an aging silent film star, in Sunset Boulevard.
Whose birthday am I celebrating by a road less traveled?
March 26, 2012Happy Birthday to Robert Frost, born March 26, 1874.
Spring Pools
These pools that, though in forests, still reflect
The total sky almost without defect,
And like the flowers beside them, chill and shiver,
Will like the flowers beside them soon be gone,
And yet not out by any brook or river,
But up by roots to bring dark foliage on.
The trees that have it in their pent-up buds
To darken nature and be summer woods —
Let them think twice before they use their powers
To blot out and drink up and sweep away
These flowery waters and these watery flowers
From snow that melted only yesterday.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 