Sunday, August 16, 2026
Friday, August 14, 2026
Lullaby
These days it's all about travels in the warrens of the web.
As we near the holiday season, here's a lullaby.
I decided, for reasons unknown, to leave the g-word capitalized.
The melody, according to Wiki, dates beck to 1818. The lyrics were written by Herr J.W. Hey who first published them in 1837. Just fyi, dontchyaknow?
Group dance & choir
Lyrics
W English translation
Church Choir
A sweet version
With references to religious writings
Can you count the stars that brightly
twinkle in the midnight sky?
Can you count the clouds, so lightly
o'er the meadows floating by?
God, the Lord, doth mark their number,
with His eyes that never slumber;
He hath made them everyone.
Can you count the wings now flashing
in the sunshine's golden light?
Can you count the fish splashing
in the cooling waters bright?
God, the Lord, a name hath given,
to all creatures under Heaven;
He hath named them everyone.
Do you know how many children
rise each morning blithe and gay?
Can you count their jolly voices,
singing sweetly day by day?
God hears all the happy voices,
in their merry songs rejoices;
and He loves them, every one.
twinkle in the midnight sky?
Can you count the clouds, so lightly
o'er the meadows floating by?
God, the Lord, doth mark their number,
with His eyes that never slumber;
He hath made them everyone.
Can you count the wings now flashing
in the sunshine's golden light?
Can you count the fish splashing
in the cooling waters bright?
God, the Lord, a name hath given,
to all creatures under Heaven;
He hath named them everyone.
Do you know how many children
rise each morning blithe and gay?
Can you count their jolly voices,
singing sweetly day by day?
God hears all the happy voices,
in their merry songs rejoices;
and He loves them, every one.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Automata
I found this in Leslie Caron's memoir Thank Heaven.
She describes several "automatons": the clockwork creations of 18th-century craftsmen.
Famous historical automata are primarily housed in Swiss museums and prestigious European private collections.
Below are a few videos (with some overlap) that show these devices
https://youtu.be/6Nt7xLAfEPs?
The world's premier and most famous examples of these precise 18th-century android automata can be found at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
https://youtu.be/6Nt7xLAfEPs?
The Jaquet-Droz Automata: Created between 1768 and 1774 by Pierre Jaquet-Droz and his son Henri-Louis, these 3 clockwork marvels (known as The Writer, The Musician, and The Draughtsman) are examples of the incredible workmanship involved.
https://youtu.be/nITEU4fsqCU?
https://youtu.be/buRMXn6iedE?
MORE! automata
https://youtu.be/EElOwG_RVLg?
(I have yet to explore this "tunnel")
Swiss National Museum: The Swiss National Museum - Château de Prangins also preserves significant historical horological collections from the 18th and 19th centuries.
https://youtu.be/C7oSFNKIlaM?
https://youtu.be/WofWNcMHcl0?
https://youtu.be/Mwt080v24gA?
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Friday, July 24, 2026
Monsoon!
It's become such a rarity it's now worthy of a blogpost. As noted in the video's description, an afternoon shower was, in the '70s and early '80s (and probably before) a common occurrence, usually happening every few days.
This is the 1st in several years.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
New Tent
Jessica, my hospice nurse, enjoys going to estate sales. Five months ago I mentioned my interest in a sleeved tent. Today it was delivered...brand - as in never opened - new!
I tightened up the bungee cord in the poles but otherwise it's ready to go.
Coleman Go! 4-person.
Chaco Canyon is the destination but we're thinking of one or two test runs. The National Forest campgrounds, there're two, along the Jemez River feature pit toilets, are only $2.50 for seniors and there's a noisy little river (for aqua enthusiasts, dogs and what have you.)
The Ojito Wilderness is free, doesn't have weird-smelling asphalt and best of all, no neighbors. Will i make it to either one?
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