Asters

 Asters in end-of-summer light.

The Heart of Awareness

A friend sent this the other day...the Ashtavakra Gita translated by Thomas Byrom.

https://www.wearesentience.com/uploads/7/2/9/3/7293936/ashtavakra_gita__byrom.pdf

Ashtavakra is indeed wild, playful, utterly absorbed in the Self. Since words are of the mind, which arises only to obscure awareness, words are indeed folly. And who would teach folly? Ashtavakra would. His is an eminently compassionate and practical madness. Even while cutting the ground from under our feet, he shows us at every turn what to do. With a crazy solicitude, he tells us how to end our Self-estrangement.

Be happy. Love yourself. Don't judge others. Forgive. Always be simple. Don't make distinctions. Give up the habit of choice. Let the mind dissolve. Give up preferring and desiring. Desire only your own awareness. Give up identifying with the body and the senses. Give up your attachment to meditation and service. Give up your attachment to detachment. Give up giving up! Reject nothing, accept nothing. Be still. But above all, be happy. In the end, you will find yourself just by knowing how things are.

I can't give up on the body & senses but i get what he's getting at. I mean, what's there not to like about, "But above all, be happy."

Patagonia Paying $100

 to people who convince three people to vote in the midterms. This article has the details.

https://gearjunkie.com/parks-and-public-lands/patagonia-give-100-credit-friends-vote-midterms

Sunset

 

OKLO

Oklo was created by OPENAI CEO Sam Altman and financial markets wizard Michael Klein to provide access to power generation investment opportunity to public investors.

MFH: What is Oklo's plan for implementing development and use of its reactors?

GOOGLE AI's answer:

Oklo’s plan for implementing and developing its reactors revolves around a multi-phased strategy aimed at bypassing traditional nuclear bottlenecks. Instead of selling reactors, Oklo plans to operate as an independent power producer, building and owning the plants while selling electricity and heat directly to customers via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).Their commercial deployment roadmap is structured around four primary pillars:

1. The Gateway Project: "Aurora-INL" (2026–2028)

First Commercial Plant: Oklo broke ground on its flagship commercial reactor, the Aurora-INL, at the Idaho National Laboratory.Design & Capacity: It is a 75-MWe sodium-cooled, metal-fueled fast reactor designed to run for 10 years without refueling.Timeline: Backed by partnerships with Kiewit Nuclear Solutions (lead constructor) and Siemens Energy (steam turbine systems), the plant is on track for reactor startup and full commercial operations by 2028.

2. Testing and Fast-Tracking via the DOE (2026)

Bypassing the NRC for Test Sites: To accelerate deployment, Oklo is heavily utilizing the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program. This program allows test reactors to be licensed under the DOE rather than going through the lengthy Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) pipeline.The Groves Milestone: In August 2026, Oklo achieved first criticality at its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas. This rapid, under-one-year build serves as Oklo's proof of concept to establish a "repeatable deployment model" for factory-built reactor components.

3. Targeting the Tech Sector (Data Centers)

The AI Customer Base: Rather than targeting traditional utilities, Oklo is focusing its pipeline on power-hungry AI and tech infrastructure.The Order Book: Oklo has signed letters of intent and non-binding agreements for roughly 4,750 MW of supply to data center operators, including a high-profile agreement to supply power to Meta data centers. They have planned subsequent commercial rollouts in locations like southern Ohio.

4. Securing the Fuel Cycle (Nuclear Recycling)

Running on Nuclear Waste: A cornerstone of Oklo's long-term plan is sustainability. Fast-fission reactors can utilize High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) recycled from spent fuel generated by traditional nuclear reactors.

Fuel Facilities: Oklo is concurrently constructing the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility in Idaho and plans to launch a commercial-scale Advanced Nuclear Fuel Recycling Facility in Oak Ridge by 2030+ to secure an independent fuel supply chain.

Maybe keep an eye on it. 

The Day After

 ...the equinox.

The clouds diffuse the location, but the corner of the roof marks the point on the mountain where the sun will rise. 

I transplanted some apache plume and Russian sage into Carl's yard in hope of creating a hedge; something to obscure the stark expanse of rock and weeds. 

Apache Plume in the near hole.

Apache Plume & Russian Sage in far one.

The two houses to our east are rentals. The owner finally listed them w an agency that seems able to find folks besides drug dealers, prostitutes and traffickers in illegals.

Boats For Sale

After 14 years exploring the west, I've been giving thought to where else. The only vehicle i ever bought new was a 1980 Datsun (before they rebranded as Nissan) 210 hatchback. With a 5-speed transmission it got 30mpg pretty consistently. The last time i saw it my daughter was driving off in it. Thus, shopping for a boat, i'm more likely to go with used, but this Polar Explorer -- still in the outfitting stage -- holds a lot of appeal.

With enclosed helicopter hangar and duel/fuel (methanol) capability.

https://greenyard.no/nyhende-artiklar/ky100-polar-expedition-yacht-ready-to-be-built

If you stayed away from the piers, you could probably even avoid the parking fees.

Here's Kleven Yachts's website...

https://greenyard.no/tjenester

Here's what A I brought up...

Green Yard Kleven (formerly known as Kleven Verft) is a prominent Norwegian shipyard located in Ulsteinvik, Norway. It is widely recognized as one of the few shipyards globally capable of handling a vessel's entire lifecycle—spanning design, newbuild construction, large-scale conversions, maintenance, and sustainable ship recycling.

[1] https://greenyard.no/green-yard-kleven

[2] https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CAwSHRIbCgNwdnESFENnMHZaeTh4TVdJMmNERnNkR2R3GAo

]3] https://mapy.com/en/?source=osm&id=1098381800

[4] https://en.greenyard.no/green-yard-kleven

Founded in 1939 by Marius Kleven, the yard built a strong reputation for producing technologically advanced offshore support vessels, explorer cruise liners, and massive luxury expedition yachts. Following financial difficulties and a bankruptcy filing in 2020, the shipyard was acquired by the Green Yard Group, which successfully revitalized its operations by merging traditional shipbuilding with eco-conscious marine recycling services.

[1] https://en.greenyard.no/shipbuilding-

[2] https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/green-yard-kleven-in-the-expedition-yacht-market

[3] https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/kleven-yachts-unveils-ky100-polar-expedition-yacht-concept

[4] (https://mapy.com/en/?source=osm&id=1098381800),

[5] (https://en.greenyard.no/green-yard-kleven)

Here's what Superyachtstimes.com has to say about it:

https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/kleven-yachts-unveils-ky100-polar-expedition-yacht-concept

I mean, i understand we all have our priorities, but i think it's just great that someone, or someONES, came together to restructure this family business and keep it alive. I kind of see it on a scale with Ted Turner's efforts at preserving the migration corridor (buying huge tracts of land). But i get it, family-friendly news like this just doesn't attract media attention the way projects like turning the Gaza Strip into "The Riviera of the Middle East" does.

Smaller ones.

https://www.deltamarine.com/yachts/

For those with extended relations

https://www.burgessyachts.com/en/buy-a-yacht/yachts-for-sale

The Pelorus video is a full 30 minutes.

Superyachtimes.com has some interesting listings.

More!

https://www.northropandjohnson.com/yachts-for-sale/superyachts

Irish Sentiments

 

Iron Horse Bicycle

It has sat in the storage room for better than two years. Brother-in-law sprang for it. I lucked out and got front & rear disk brakes and shifters to rival a Maserati. 10 or more years ago it was considered a decent bike.

I made it halfway up the block to Britt where i paused to get my breath. It was all I could do to hobble to the front door after putting it back to bed.

Somewhere along the way I lost 10 pounds; not that anyone else can tell. This is what 255 looks like. Grrrroossss!!! But hey!! I can still make it to the bathroom.

Morning Glorys

 

We've always had black thumbs, but the last two years have gone well. We put a pot by the porch post, put in some seeds and voila!

The Hormuz Letter

I pulled this from The Hormuz Letter, online newsletter i follow.

There was no attribution.

Romeo & Juliet This

I've now known Danielle Slupesky almost two years. In that time we've met several times to discuss death and dying. She also sat with me during my psilocybin journey to help alleviate my death anxiety. Here she describes accompanying a couple to Switzerland to die. I highly recommend her services.

https://www.deathdouladanielle.com/post/romeo-and-juliet-this-jim-and-angie-s-journey-to-dignity-day?utm_campaign=3cd63688-79df-4e5d-9d27-ed8058252f75&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=41b16f51-914d-4973-bbb8-63b09c9fede7

Danielle Slupesky

A Look Back

I enjoy having the blog; it provides perspective.

The comments about appreciating what one has are as relevant as ever.

I'm not adding a photo to this post as the one on the one below is more than enough. (I've since become unable to get up from the chair & have it on Craigslist.)

https://albertsturkey.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-way-it-is.html?m=1

Gardening Sunsets

We've begun returning Andre's driveway to it's original, pulling up the corn plants that've been harvested and taking out the melon plant that gave up all of three mediocre melons. 

About 6.5 inches

There're about a half-dozen ears yet to be harvested.

The clouds!!! What'll we do when we no longer go across the street to water?

Ready For the Holidaise

Description in the video.

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

https://youtu.be/gia9ADz-7cs?is=pMggBIDH_s-fdyx5

Lyrics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei%C3%9Ft_du,_wie_viel_Sternlein_stehen

W English translation

https://youtu.be/3EepxVUOEcI?is=Too6-ZVVnerJQud7

Church Choir

https://youtu.be/GmvNnAEcpM8?is=jJx0jHfVTmPa1eWB

A sweet version

https://youtu.be/VNHGPxNNgZ4?is=othS3rNiR8lc9zXX

With references to religious writings

https://youtu.be/9NDKm_QIImU?is=4fCBHnFJlpHxL7JP

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.

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

Treasure Tray

A few weeks in the making, it arrived today. I'd requested it for a selection of tiny treasures i found in a big arroyo at the foot of the Sandias. How did a deposit of tiny shells get in that arroyo?

SR Shelves

Efforts to bring the Smirket Room (SR) online as a maker space took a major leap forward w the addition of Eric Montoya's custom-crafted shelves.

Eric is a retired engineer from Sandia Labs. He has extensive experience in all aspects of residential construction and has a complete wood-working shop. This, his latest contribution, helps maximize storage for boxes of  small items.

Joinery you'd expect from an engineer.

A facing to hide the unfinished edge of the plywood.

Two removable shelves made it easier to move the unit into place.

Finished plywood adds a level of aesthetic appeal.

Yesterday's Clouds

 

Watering gets me out for the sunset.

Summer!

In days of yore we cavorted in the lakes of the California Sierras.

July 7, 2017

https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2017/07/sierra-mountains-california.html?m=1

July 28, 2017

https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2017/07/paddleboarding-union-reservoir.html?m=1

Now I guage the time of remaining temperate temps by the sun's morning position on the Sandia Mountains. That hump to the right (south) of the tree beyond the wall is a marker.

Then the wildlife stops by for breakfast...

And departs