Ahhhh! (Blogger Withdrawal)

Since I blogged last:
1) I finished a paper entitled: Evidence for two different visual processing theories in ASD: A comparison of neuroimaging analysis (It took forever, because I am clearly a novice at this! I took the class in order to be able to tell how good the claims are for neuroimaging studies. I'm not sure I should say this, but . . . there's a lot of crap out there. I suffered but I learned a good deal).

2) I finished a paper entitled: Seeing the trees before the forest: the structure of visual intelligence in ASD (This was for my readings course. It was more within my knowledge base and more fun to write. I learned a lot with this one, too. Even if it wasn't painful and I could smile sometimes while writing).

3)The Boychick got his Blue Belt with a stripe, wrote a paper, and took his finals. Today, he slept until 10 A.M. and then we went into town to turn in that last paper and spent three hours at Borders. I read an entire mystery novel. Light reading is so nice!

4) I became the Mother of the Revolution in New Mexico. (I'll explain that one . . . someday. Relax, Mark. It's all in good fun).

5) I seriously neglected my blog. I am behind on comments, and lost one of them somehow--sorry again! I probably have it in my overflowing personal inbox. Which I will get to . . .
(But I did discover that I am the only person that gets excited about F.A. Hayek. Ah, well. I did marry a geek. Does that mean I am one?)

But that's a serious question, not one that is appropriate for an end-of-the-semester Friday when all the papers are turned in, and there are no more hanging over my head until August!

Right now . . .

it's Guiness time!


Ahhhhhh!

The foam is the best part.

Have a great weekend!

Quixotic? Quaint? Code Words

I love it when a commenter gives me another blog post.
And Anonymous or Anonymouses have been particular busy doing so lately.
On my last blog post I got a comment by one of my Anonymouses that used language masterfully couched to imply that hopelessness is the proper emotion of those of us who would like to see them actually apply the Constitution inside the Beltway.

The comment started innocuously enough:
" I just stumbled on your blog. It's thoughtful and delightful reading. "
Thanks, for the left-handed compliment. Then there's this:

"I also occasionally check in on Schulz' quixotic pursuit of petition and redress. Petition's there in the first amendment, of course, right at the end--it's hard not to snicker at "capstone"--and preceded by a phrase informing us that Congress shall make no law limiting the right to petition."

The word 'quixotic' evokes a kind of pathetic action, such as tilting at windmills, that is doomed to fail. It is romantic and idealistic, but alas, impractical and unrealistic. It also implies a superior sort of worldliness on the part of the user, and thus the reader should surmise that Anonymous is above those sorts of spectacular feats of craziness.

However, the term quixotic should not be applied without a clear understanding of what the goal of an action is. Bob Schulz understood after one or two petitions that he would never get a cogent response to the Petitions for Redress of Grievance. Since that time, getting a response is not the goal. The goal is to document that people have formally petitioned all three branches of the federal government for Redress, and indeed have done so over and over again, and have received no response except repeated injury. In other words, the goal of the petitions is to document for the American people that our government is an outlaw government; that is, it is no longer governing according to our Constitution. It is also to document for posterity what happened and why. Thus, the action is not quixotic. It is working exactly as planned and the purpose is being met.

Then there's this:
"In the age of emailing the White House, press credentials given to bloggers, and Obama on Leno, petition seems quaint, at best."

It is clear here that Anonymous either deliberately or unthinkingly misunderstands the Petition for Redress. I highly recommend that he go back and check out the quote from the Magna Carta. E-mailing the White House and blogging do not represent formal petitions for Redress of Grievance. And in press conferences (such as the one last night), the questioners are carefully chosen and then often given non-answers straight from the talking points on the Teleprompter of the United States.

As for the Leno interview, the remark about the Special Olympics (they let Obama speak without TOTUS present, more's the pity) led to a new injury, and the whole thing had the air of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

But consider also Anonymous's diction. In particular, notice the word "quaint." As in: 'Oh, yes, the Constitution. That quaint document. In these days of Obama on Leno, it is only to be taken seriously by the likes of those tiresome libertarians and militia people.' Again, note the worldly-wise tone, that tells us that one of the most brilliant documents of government ever written can be lightly dismissed by Anonymous, because he is oh so modern and politically correct. I can almost hear the Keith Olbermann fake-Shakespearian accent.

Then we get this:
"It's been invoked recently to challenge Obama's qualification for the presidency. So, it's clearly being exercised with the utmost gravity."

Ah, the kitten has some claws. But again, Anonymous, misses the point. The Petitions for Redress reflect the concerns of various citizens. The point is not that they are right or wrong. Or even, as the worldly Anonymous implies, stupid. No, the point is that a citizen, from the time of the Magna Carta until now, had the right to Petition and receive an answer. Is the income tax unconstitutional or not? Is Mr. Obama qualifed to be president of the United States according to the Constitution or not? Neither of these have received an answer.

And here anonymous goes in for the imagined kill:

"In any case, if the government takes active steps to quash such important petitions, you'll have a real case. Otherwise, I hope the snacks at the congress are tasty."

Apparently, Anonymous does not bother to read carefully. I wonder if s/he is related to the NYT science reporters? You know, the type that report on a study and get it exactly wrong, though politically correct?

Because we're done petitioning. The Continental Congress is assembling to consider what we ought to do now that we have demonstrated and documented that the federal government is in brazen defiance to the Constitution. Consider this from the 1774 Act of the First Continental Congress:

“ If money is wanted by Rulers who have in any manner oppressed the People, they may retain it until their grievances are redressed, and thus peaceably procure relief, without trusting to despised petitions or disturbing the public tranquility."

and this from Thomas Jefferson's 1775 reply to Lord North:

“The privilege of giving or withholding our money is an important barrier against the undue exertion of prerogative which if left altogether without control may be exercised to our great oppression; and all history shows how efficacious its intercession for redress of grievances and establishment of rights, and how improvident would be the surrender of so powerful a mediator."

And this from the 1784 New Hampshire Constitution:

“Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection,and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.”

It is, of course, quite possible that resistance is futile. But we cannot know until we try. Of course, sophisticated people like the erudite Anonymous have already joined the Borg.

You can tell by the code words. The collective never constructs a decent argument. It just tries to insult us into silence as quaint and quixotic. (I guess he opened his dictionary to the Q's).

"We are the arbiters of political correctness. Resistance is futile. You will be laughed into assimilation."

Be very afraid.

Chag Purim!

It's Purim, and when this post posts, because it was post-dated --or should we say post-houred--we will be off to the Chabad of New Mexico drowning out the name of that evil Haman, as we read the Megillat Esther.








Some of us will drown our sorrows until we cannot tell the difference between a Bailout and a Stimulus . . . oops, I mean the difference between "Bless Mordechai" and "Curse Haman."





And the Purim Shpiels will help us laugh at the economy. This one makes as much sense as most of the economic advice we get today. Just remember that "gornisht" means "nothing"!

HAPPY PURIM!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Despite the problems of the larger world, here in our Sedillo home, we have been enjoying the little things that make our individual lives rich and happy.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that the birds are back singing in the mornings as we take our walks.

This weekend is the annual Great Backyard Birdcount 2009 which is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society. The count started on Friday and continues through Monday (Presidents' Day). Thus far, 27,220 checklists have been submitted (we have submitted three), 532 species have been observed, and over three million individual birds have been counted. You can still participate today and tomorrow, and you have several weeks to submit your checklists. Just go to the website linked above and the rest is very easy!

Here is my best picture this year, taken through the bedroom clerestory. This is a Stellar's Jay perched in the bare branches of the Aspen on the northwest side of the house. Unfortunately, the light was such that you see the bird in silhouette. Stellar's Jays are actually a very bright blue. There were two beautiful birds in the tree, but never occupied the same frame at the same time.

We have counted the usual species seen here: Black-capped Chickadees, Common Ravens, Red-tailed Hawks, Pinyon Jays, Stellar's Jays, Crows, and Dark-eyed Juncos (the slate-gray variety common to the Southern Rockies). But most unusually this year, I saw three Lincoln Sparrows in the tree outside my window. It's pretty early for them, so I have no idea why they are here. It was so unusual that I had to check my book (twice) and the internet, too. And when I submitted my checklist, Cornell wanted the ID confirmed. Unfortunately, I was so busy checking my book that I did not get a picture. By the time I thought of it, they had flown away.

Pictures of Princess Ruby Tuesday and the Old Dowager Zoey

NEARLY WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Instead of waiting for the Chem Geek Princess to send me pictures--I have yet to receive any from her engagement--I took some of my own on Sunday.

I was going into town for Women's Torah Study, so I took my camera with me, and stopped by the CGP's little house on the way home.

Ruby Tuesday, her official name, is a little gem! She greeted us at the door, as her Grandpa Engineering Geek came just to meet her. So here's the pictures, bracketed by two of our Old Dowager Queen, Zoey. After all, the reason we took a second look at Ruby in the Animal Care Shelter, was that the Chem Geek Princess called me over, saying: "Oh, look, Mom! It's a mini-Zoey.

And here Queen Zoey lounges on her New Zealand
Sheepskin bed, showing off the Boychick's new floor.
(September 2008).

Her spots and ticking, once so black, are going white with age, and she likes to lounge in the sun more of late. She still plays, but less often during the day, and for less time.

And here, Little Princess Ruby lounges on

some of the carpet that was replaced by the

wood flooring at our house.

Now it provides a soft place in the CGP's

'Little House' for a puppy tired from

playing and performing for her hew family.

Here, Ruby demonstrated her newfound skill: Down. Stay.

Each time the CGP says it, she pushes her firmly down, and then rewards her by stroking her face while telling her what a good puppy she is!

Ruby is a calm, but curious dog who is happy to please her new mistress.

Ruby came home knowing a few skills already.

She can Sit. Stay.

She asks to go outside, being fully

housebroken, and she can shake

hand-to-paw when she asks for a biscuit.

We really don't understand why she was

returned to the Shelter. That lady's loss was our gain.

Ruby already has two toys.

A sheepskin giraffe for inside,

and a big purple squeaky ball for outdoor fun.

Here she demonstrates her play-bow, before she fetches the ball. It takes her a few tries to get it into her mouth, too.
And no matter who throws it, she always brings it back to the CGP. She knows the hand that feeds her!

And another look at our Old Dowager Queen.

You can see the resemblances and the differences

between the two.

Zoey doesn't have black ears, nor the black rings

around her eyes. Ruby does not have the big

black spot on her back.

Zoey is bigger, and her ticking is

fading with oncoming age.

But the two have uncanny similarities in personality.
They are both dainty Princesses, they hold their bodies and tails in the same way, and when Zoey was younger she had the same calm curiosity.

Both are a little on the thin side, too.
Ruby with the leggy thinness of late puppyhood.
Zoey with the stiff thinness of old age.

Ah, dear Zoey. Are you eleven? Twelve maybe. You were certainly at least a two when we rescued you in January 2000. But you were not yet three, according to the vet. Well, old girl, I know exactly how you feel on those cold mornings when the barometers falling and we both get out of bed stiff with arthritis.

But love is wasted on the young, they say.

My Medieval Profession

Thanks to RationalJenn:

You Are a Cartographer

You have a wide range of knowledge and you're very detail oriented. You have a photographic memory, and you remember places very well. Like a middle ages cartographer, you're also very adventurous and curious about the world. In modern times, you would make a good non-fiction writer or scientist.

Fascinating, truly fascinating. Because in modern times I am indeed a scientist.
And I love maps.

Take the Quiz and find out your Medieval Profession.

Princess Ruby

I ask for congratulations. I have become a grandmother by adoption.
Today the Chem Geek Princess hauled me and the Boychick off the Albuquerque's East Side Animal Care Shelter to "look" at the dogs. "Now, we're just going to look today," she cautioned the Boychick as we went into the building.

We got three quarters of the way through the kennels in Building A. I was talking to a very pretty Shepherd mix on the female side when the the CGP, who had gone ahead a kennel said: "Oh, Mom, look! It's a mini-Zoey."

Sure enough, there in the next dog run was a small Zoey! She was looking at the CGP and tilting her head toward the outdoor part of the run. Then she sat down and looked positively fetching. We were cataloguing the similarities and differences:

• look, she's half of Zoey's size
• she has the same gestures and look in her eye
• she holds her paw in the same way
• her ears are bigger and they are all black intead of spotted

As we were talking, with many oh's and ah's, a kennel worker--I think they are trained to know when humans are falling in love with a canine--stepped forward and asked:

KW: "Can I help you?"

CGP: "Can I take her out?"

KW: "Before I do, do you have cats?"

CGP: "No, I don't."

KW: "What about birds?"

We must have looked puzzled, because the Kennel Worker then said: "This dog was adopted yesterday, and the lady was waiting here with her when I got to work this morning. She said the dog barked at her birds and chased her cat. She came in originally as an owner surrender because they were moving and couldn't take the dog. Now she's been adopted and returned. I don't think this lady tried very hard."

CGP: "If I take a dog today, I will make it work. Besides, dogs do chase cats sometimes. They're dogs. Anyway, I don't have any cats. I don't have any animals at all. But I have a house with a fenced yard and a dog run."

So the Kennel Worker slipped a leash on 'Dakota' and the CGP took her out of the kennel building. We walked her around a bit, then we took her into one of the enclosed bonding areas where we could take her off the leash and play. At first the dog made a circuit of the small space, sniffing at the toy ball. We settled on the floor to get at doggie level. Then the dog sat down in front of the CGP and put her paw up, just like Zoey. I think that was it, but we spent some more time with her there, throwing the ball, talking to the dog, who had somehow become 'Ruby.' We found that she had good manners, she let the CGP lift up her feet, and she seemed very anxious to please. So we slipped the leash back on and went out to find our friend the KW. It turns out that she was waiting just outside.

CGP: "I want to adopt this dog."

KW: "I think it was meant to be! We'll just put her back in her run, and then I'll write down her number and you can go into adoption couseling to fill out the paperwork."

But when we got back to the entrance to Building A, poor Ruby heard the barking inside, and shied away from the door. "Oh," the CGP said, "She doesn't want to go back in there. She's afraid we'll leave her again." So the KW let the Boychick and me sit outside with Ruby while the CGP went inside to fill out the paperwork and pay the fees. As we played with her, and let her sniff around, she got comfortable enough to climb right up on the concrete bench with us. As other kennel workers passed by, they kept saying "Hi, Dakota! I sure hope it works out for you." She apparently had made herself known and loved.

As she was filling out the paperwork, the Adoption Counselor said to the CGP: "I have to inform you that this dog chased a lady's cat . . . because, you know, she's a dog!" (I think they were rather disgusted with this lady's lack of any attempt to orient the dog at all). But it all the better for the CGP, because, as she told the Adoption Counselor, "She's so much like the dog I grew up with!"

So we took Ruby home to the CGP's house. She had a snack and played with the Boychick in the backyard while the CGP and I went to the pet store to get a few things. When we got back, decked out in her new collar and leash, Ruby accompanied us on a walk to the park. There, she ran around the park (on leash of course!) with the CGP and the Boychick. My knees are in the grandma stage and I prefer a brisk walk. After that, it was time for a bath--the dogs come home pretty dirty from the pound, er, I mean the Animal Care Shelter. So the Boychick and I left the new dog owner to her work.

I had forgotten to take my phone to town with me today, so I don't have a picture of Ruby. When the CGP sends me one, I will post it.

Now I have a granddog! Zoey and Lily have a niece.

This was not what I expected when I took the CGP's desk to her house this morning.

Life is full of those little surprises that make us smile. Princess Ruby has joined the extended family. What a happy day for us and for her.

Our First Bridal Show

The Chem Geek Princess and I attended a bridal show today down at the Hotel Albuquerque at Oldtown. This one was small, with about 20 vendors, and we were able to get to every booth. There was also a band playing almost continuously, and a bridal gown fashion show.

We spent a good amount of time at the Pennysmith's Paper Co. booth, looking at invitation papers. The Knight Errant has a calligrapher friend who has offered to do the invitations by hand, so we need nice paper. We also tasted wedding cake, and walked around munching on Hors d'ouvres, as we looked at photgrapher samples, videographers, and tuxedos.

At several booths, the Chem Geek Princess was asked to show her engagement ring so that the vendors could admire it. (I imagine they do quite a bit of ring admiring at these events). One photographer oohed and ahhhed, and then said, 'That diamond cut is European, isn't it?" The CGP allowed that it is. It turns out that this woman photographs weddings all over the world, and showed us many lovely photographs. As we talked, the CGP told her engagement story. The photographer told us that this was the most unique engagement story she had heard. She called her husband over, saying: "Can you believe this? Her fiance flew her to London to propose in a castle!"

Currently, the CGP is considering being married at the Loretto Chapel, in Santa Fe, but they are also considering a destination wedding within the United States. She wants a beautiful, elegant, and very small wedding; their guestlist has only 50 people on it, including the wedding party. I like the idea of the Loretto Chapel, which has a beautiful wooden spiral staircase to the choir loft that was built by a mysterious stranger.

I think the CGP and her Knight are leaning towards the destination wedding, since most of the guests will have to travel anyway, so it does not matter where we hold it. The destinations all have beautiful wedding chapels and packages that do make the planning easier, and in many of those places, the whole wedding can be done at a reasonable cost.

It will be interesting to see what they decide, and I can live with either option.

But I do lean towards Loretto in Santa Fe . The well-traveled photographer does also, and after hearing what she wants, thought that would be best, unless we can make a wedding trip to Prague in the Czech Republic!

Mmmm. Hmmm. Prague is nice for a destination wedding. Maybe we can get the Altenushul?

Over 500 Posts and Butterfly Fun!

Wow! I just noticed that my post on Sky Magic was my 500th post on this blog.

I started blogging on Sunday, December 3, 2006, and my first post was Why I Homeschool: A Response to Dr. Phil. When I re-read my first post, I was both amused and amazed. I have certainly learned a lot about formatting, posting, and blogging since that day just a little over two years ago when I started this blog.

I am also amazed by what has happened in our personal lives since that day, and what changes have come to us and the world since then. I am also impressed by the amount of learning that I have done, thanks to my fellow bloggers! Long life to you all!

I am now sold on the power of journaling!

And now for some fun!

Frankie, over at Kitchen Table Learners has given me a Butterfly Award. I know I have received some other awards during this very busy fall, but I kept delaying my response until I forgot altogether. So I am not going to make the same mistake with this one.

The rules are to link to the person who gave you the award, post the graphic, and name ten blogs for the award in turn.

Ten is hard for me, but Frankie named a few that I had already named.

Here are my ten:

Boy Story . . . And Beyond!

Homeschooling the Doctorate!

The Thinking Mother

Corn and Oil

Junkfood Science

Mom in Madison

Deliberate Wanderer

Magpie Ima

Rational Jen

NeuroLogica

Some of these are mothers, one is a dad, some are homeschooling, and some of these are about science. Among them, there is quite a diversity of ideas: religious, non-religious, scientific, and political. I like something about each one, and none of them reflect my ideas and opinions completely. That is why I have learned so much!

One more thing: each of these blogs links to a whole world of blogs. Following links can bring you to more blogs that I'd like to put here, but then I'd go over the limit.

Enjoy!

Found: A Forthright Candidate (Too Bad He's Not Running)

Last night, Bruce and I did something I don't think we have ever done before: We went to a political comedy live broadcast at a movie theater. It cost more than a regular movie, too. But with N. in Illinois (that was last night, he's now in New Jersey--Boychick, the world traveler) we thought we'd splurge--so we mortgaged the house to buy some extra gas (just kidding!) and went to see Glenn Beck's one-man show Unelectable! We even had dinner afterwards at a nice place.

We really enjoyed it. The first half was comedy, the second half was 'the speech from a candidate that you've always wanted and never heard.' Although this guy bills himself as a conservative, he has some libertarian ideas, as you'll see from his platform.

We really weren't sure how full the theater would be, but Albuquerque is a military town, and also has the National Labs, so it was a large theater and it was pretty full, even though people had to drive to the west side (side is pronounced 'sah--eed' when combined with west here) during rush hour, which takes great bravery for the average Albuquerquean.

And when the show was going on it was very much like we were in the actual live show in Dallas. People clapped, people cheered, people enjoyed the people by them. You could feel the audience energy.

During the first half, the humor, which had a political edge was non-stop, and I doubt there was a dry seat in the house. The second half was part political speech as we'd like to hear it, and full of humor to boot, but it ended as an inspirational sermon in the American style. By the time Glenn ended by quoting the final phrases of the Declaration of Independence:

"... And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor"

there was not a dry eye in the house. It was that good.

Who wouldn't want a candidate to start a speech by removing the power coat, loosening the tie, rolling up his sleeves and then saying: 'I'm not doing this to impress you, I 'm doing it because I'm hot. These lights? They're murder!'

After stating 'for the press' that 'every bad thing I've done that you dig up, that's me! I did it,' Glenn went on to give his platform. It has five simple planks:

1. If the US goes to war, it should go to win. Otherwise it is immoral to send soldiers to fight overseas.

2. Stop spending us to oblivion. All Glenn plans for the Feds to spend money on are big missiles and smooth highways. If you need help, go to your family, your church or the local community. And he won't bale out the banks. Otherwise, the Feds should "get the hell out of our way."

3. Fix illegal immigration. Build the fence, but put Lady Liberty's golden door in, and make it wide enough to bring in those who have something to contribute and who want to be Americans. Illegal immigration is modern-day slavery and it's immoral.

4. Leave our kids a country that is better than we inherited (and what we inherited was sweet). All kinds of things were invented here, and that good old Yankee ingenuity can solve problems. The Feds can't. Washington does not have the answers to our problems. We do. We need to get back to drilling our own oil, refining it, as well as developing alternatives that we haven't yet even dreamed of. Remember, most of what was invented here was done on private money, not the public nickel. We need to start taking risks and building things again!

5. Remember who we are. We are Americans. We have freedom's inheritance. America does not reside in Washington. The answers we need (which don't come from Washington-see above) reside within us. We need to take our country back, beginning by teaching our children--which is our responsibility--who they are and the ideals this country was founded on.

Found: A candidate who will tell it like it is. Too bad he's not running for president.

He's...UNELECTABLE!

But he is very funny. And very moving.

Passover Time Again!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

It's almost here! So here is a wonderful Song Parody from Billy Ray Sheets.

And now, to find the "Pesadikh" plates. I know they are in a blue tub in the garage. Somewhere....um...I think.

Disclaimer: To those of you on the Save the Rio Grande bandwagon.
We do not pour our beer down the drain. We could not possibly card every silvery minnow.

We try to drink our beer before Pesach.

Failing that, we have beer loving neighbors.

Now, on to more of that special brand of Jewish collective insanity that happens every year!

Some Sunshine on an Unsettled Day...

Frankie, over at Kitchen Table Learners, just passed along some sunshine on an unsettled day.



She has put this "E for Excellent" stamp of approval on Ragamuffin Studies!



I would like to pass it on to:


Judy Aron over at Consent of the Governed. I read this blog almost every day, and sometimes more than once in the day. This blog will give you information on what is going on in the world of politics, the politics of homeschooling, and the politics of education and children, and more, including humor.

Sandy at Junkfood Science. Whatever you think about the politics of food, you owe it to yourself to check out this blog. Sandy, a scientist herself, writes very good reviews of the studies about food and health that often get reported wrongly by the uncritical media.
I appreciate the good science writing here and the rational approach to food.

Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight. This is a beautiful and intricate blog, and Dawn writes with a quiet spirituality about nature, crafts, faith and her life as a homeschooling mother. Peace and comfort are the gifts for which I stop by frequently.

Thanks, Frankie!

The Solstice of the Year

A Nearly Wordless Special Edition

Now is the Solstice of the Year!

Winter is the glad song that you hear.


Seven maids move in seven time,
have the lads up ready in a line.

Join together 'neath the mistletoe!

By the Holy Oak where-on it grows.

Seven druids dance in seven time.

Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Praise be to the distant sister sun!

Joyful as the silver planets run.

Seven maids move in seven time.

Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming:

Ring out those bells!

Ring out, ring, Solstice bells!

Ring Solstice bells!

May the increasing light bring us light in the darkness of winter.

The poem is song lyrics, Ring Out, Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull. A You-Tube Version is embedded above.

Pictures Credit: All taken by Elisheva Levin, on a Sony Cybershot.

#1: Snow on the windowpane at dusk. December 21, 2007

#2: Snowing by the Aspen. December 21, 2007.

#3: The Solstice Elf's Handiwork Mysteriously Appeared. December 22, 2007.

#4: Snowy Scrub Oak and Pinyon Glade. December 22, 2007.

#5: Solstice Sunrise on Los Pecos Loop Ridge. December 22, 2007

#6: Solstice Sunset Over Cedro. December 20, 2007.

The New Camera

Most of the pictures I have been posting here on my blog in the past three and a half weeks have been taken on my new camera.

The whole process of actually getting the camera has been quite an adventure. I started on May 25th, believe it or not. I was looking for a Kodak Easy Share Camera with a 12X zoom. I found one for a good price ar Dell and ordered it. I thought it would come in 10 days.

By the end of June, it had been backordered 10X and I was becoming a disillusioned customer, especially after they cancelled the order finally, without one e-mail to let me know what was going on. Then there was the process of phoning them up! I had to talk to India. After several misunderstandings and getting hung-up on (accidentally? on purposely?), I finally talked to a real life person who seemed to understand what was going on.

Well, talked is not the word. I was so frustrated that I am afraid I screamed at "Patrick" (the name is in quotes because if he was Irish, I am from Mars). I threatened to never, ever do business with Dell again unless a camera was in my hands in 48 hours. So Patrick arranged to sell me a Sony Cyber-shot with a Zeiss lens and 15X zoom at a considerable discount and send it to me by overnight shipping for free. I took the deal. Then he even called to make sure I got the camera on time. I did. So here a some of the wonderful pictures I have been taking as I have played with the features of the new camera:






This was taken from the top of Via Sedillo, looking down into the Sedillo Spur development.
The horses in the foreground were at least a mile away.
I was playing with my new, powerful zoom!













This one was also taken from the top of Via Sedillo.

I was trying to catch the white and purple clouds, as well as the shadow in valley in the foreground and sunlight beyond. The shadow is of the very hill I was standing on.

There is a small "ghost" from a rain-drop on the bottom left, but otherwise, a nice picture. You can almost see the needles on the pinyon pine in the foreground.





This picture is of a very large butterfly that was feeding on the New Mexico Lilac in the door garden. I used the zoom to get up close and personal.

I was crouched down under the branch, aiming up to get the beautiful outstrethed wings.







This one is of misty sunlight in the meadow on the first morning I had the camera. You can see the mist hugging the Sandias in the background and there is also just a hint of mist over the trees across the meadow on the right side of the picture.





Finally, a sunset.

I was playing with the twilight feature on this new camera, and took a number of pictures of a spectacular sunset earlier this month.

I like the trees and hills sillouetted in the foreground, with the slightly lighter Sandia Mountains in the background, and the goldn, pink and purple clouds in the sky.

I guess it was worth the wait. And talking to India. It is a fine camera. And I will enjoy it more and more as I learn how to use all of its various and sundry features.

Tradition: Dithering Over the Midnight Hour

I refuse to read the pre-release reviews. But I am still on tenterhooks. How can one even think that Harry Potter might die? It destroys the whole hero's journey! But...I'm worried.


And I am dithering about tonight.

Months ago, I reserved three copies at a well known bookstore.
One for N. One for MLC. And one for me.

The plan was to go to the midnight release EVENT as we have since Goblet of Fire came out. I think that was the first release party--at least in our part of the world.
But then we made summer plans and now N. is going to the midnight EVENT at a different well known bookstore in Illinois. I arranged for his "Aunt Madge" (not her real name but everybody in the family calls her that) to pre-order a copy there for him.

So why go to the midnight party? As I told Bruce, who listened patiently and wisely did not tell me what to do, I would have to drive into town at about 9 PM. I'd have to sit around the bookstore until midnight. I would have to wait in line to get my copy. Then I'd have to drive home, arriving around 2 to 3 in the morning, depending on the lines. And by then, it is unlikely that I'd even be able to keep my eyes open to read the first chapter.

So it's probably more sensible to wait until 9 AM tomorrow morning and arrive at the bookstore and get my copy. It's only 6 or 7 hours later and then I'll be fresh for reading. They have coffee at the bookstore or I can go to our local coffee shop to read. Sounds like a plan.

BUT...we have not missed one of the parties. And this is the LAST one! You know what Garrison Keilor says: If you do it certain way twice, it becomes a TRADITION. And I love tradition.

Tradition. Tradition. Tra-DIT-ion! (Humming Fiddler on the Roof. Da-da-da-da! Da-da-DAH!).

"Why without our tradition, our lives would be..."

A lot less tiring.

Whatever I decide, I will not turn to the last chapter first. I would NEVER do that.
And I will not be on the internet again until I have finished the book.
I do not want my pleasure spoiled.