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?is=THi-acZzwhyxACty


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?is=aC68mctWmTVq7jnK


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?is=4W55vWO1XMjt1stw


https://youtu.be/buRMXn6iedE?is=A-nanf_fy3gA-3ck


MORE! automata

https://youtu.be/EElOwG_RVLg?is=CimZdwroiAvlukyU


(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?is=GZqnWGedQUDfUVBI


https://youtu.be/WofWNcMHcl0?is=ulAq_rn4WODTttvt


https://youtu.be/Mwt080v24gA?is=ehhYonTAQ8vFC2B7

Sun Dog

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.

Sparkler Egg

 Check this out!

See more here...

https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/?m=1

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?

Remembering Al Christensen

Al didn't post to his blog on any kind of regular basis, but after the better part of a month and no replies to my or other peoples' inquiries, i filed a missing persons report with the Sheriff in Crescent City, California and with the State Highway Patrol. He turned up (dead) in Arcata, California where he'd gone to get checked for a uti. Somehow, probably due to some minor surgery, sepsis got loose, and it was soon over.

Details here...

https://albertsturkey.blogspot.com/2025/08/al-christensen-died.html?m=1

Rereading this post,

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/what-view.html?m=0

i found my comment w the coordinates to the turnoff to the Elwha River area. Pursuing it further led to this Youtube video 

about the dams being taken out after the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's lobbying culminated in the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act of 1992.

Signed by President George H.W. Bush (41st prez from '89 to '93, a.k.a. Bush the Elder, of all people!!), this federal law authorized the government to buy out the dams and dismantle them specifically to restore the native ecosystem and protect tribal treaty rights.

Al's last post on July 23rd, 2025, conveyed his laid-back style & showed him chillin' somewhere among the big trees.

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-talk-to-trees-but-they-dont-listen-to.html?m=0

Gone, but not forgotten.

And, at least as far as rivers go, it appears reincarnation is a fact. ✨

"Jugz" he wuz known as...

 ...in them days. No one wanted to see his though.

There're 3 melons hiding amongst the foliage at the bottom of the photo.

Hints of a cob

 

Hiding in upper left