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Through the Year 2016
January My Street Corner–I do love winter's long blue shadows.
Late February-Early March The catkins of American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), formed last summer, elongate and spill their golden pollan, showy in the still drab landscape.
In March, Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) is the first to bloom in my patio garden. It pushes up new blossoms through a tuft of last year's foliage, now wine colored.
It is followed by Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadense) along with the ubiquitous, non-native Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica).
April brings more woodland wildflowers. Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucularia) blooms amongst the stunning Bloodroot foliage. Ephemerals, they emerge, bloom, set seed, then die back, flower and foliage; not to be seen again until the following spring.
An overall view of my savanna garden as seen from the west side public sidewalk. The pink flowers of Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) dominate partial shade gardens this month.
June–Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana) is a recent introduction to midwestern gardens. Native to the lower midwest and southeast, its low-growing stature and attractiveness to pollinators has made it extremely popular. I planted some in my west side gardens and, as you can see, they are spectacular. Growing 18"–24" tall, they thrive in sun or part shade.
July–One never gets tired of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), the heart of every midwest garden.
August–Difference between my front yard and the rest of the block. Showy Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. speciosa), Prairie Baby's Breath (Euphorbia corollata), and Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolis heterolepis) are in bloom in this garden.
Asters dominate the September-October gardens with glorious lavenders, pinks, white, and royal purple. Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum leave) and New England Aster (S. noveae-angliae) are pictured.
October Mixture of the colorful leaves of Wild Gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) in foreground and American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) in the background.
October my Red Oak (Quercus rubra) just beginning to color,
10/31 Tigger came to my house to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween
November The 4-8' tall, majestic copper Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) always stands tall and straight.
Oddly, I did not take any photographs of my gardens last December. So, instead, I am sending a special photo sent to me from Door County from my friend, Pat G;
One of the school houses at The Clearing Folk Art School. They have wonderful classes. On the campus there are many maples, beech and birch trees along with the pines and cedars. Also, there are some stunning views of Green Bay from the bluffs which are part of the Niagara Escarpment.
A special place…
Happy New Year to all.


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Just Let Them Play/
I am getting to know a few like-minded educators who also attended the "Good Stuff For Kids Conference" back in July.
This morning, one of the gals from the conference who also owns/operates a preschool posted a link to a piece entitled Overly Academic Preschool Experiences May Actually Slow Learning.
Read it here!
Note: Just another day of water play in the school yard (with color of course)!


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With the snow crunching under our snowshoes, we headed to our Ministik conservation lands yesterday to make some of our fences on the property a bit friendlier for wildlife. We attached about 40 homemade fence reflectors, made from a piece of vinyl siding and some reflective tape, to a fence on our northern boundary that passes over a large wetland.
We didn't feel like going swimming there last summer, so instead we hiked 7 kilometres in our snowshoes to the frozen wetland, so we could walk on it without getting wet. The fence reflectors make the fence more visible to birds as they come in for a landing or swim in the calm waters, creating a safer habitat.
We do a lot of work on our conservation lands to make the best fences we can. We remove barbed wires that are too high for animals to jump over, or too low for the young to crawl under, and we completely remove some fences that are no longer necessary. In fact, we removed 9.5 kilometres of barbed wire last year with volunteers, and we'll be doing more again this summer to make our fences friendly and our properties safe for wildlife.
The sun came out from behind the clouds as we finished placing the reflectors on the fence wires yesterday afternoon, and as we walked back alongside deer, moose and snowshoe hare footprints, we could hear coyotes howling at us from not too far away. I'd like to think they were cheering us on.


text: If you think The Transfiguration is just another movie for realistic characters, intense, real life issues and scary little girls; you are really wrong. Well, this video will certainly take your breath away. It is the newest blast from the spectacular works of Michael O'Shea. The main reason of this, is director, obviously(director is Michael O'Shea). Michael O'Shea is pretty careful and careful. This was not the case a few years ago, tho. But still, video definitely influenced thousands in day one. Every video needs some people that can avoid it to become a great video. Yes, the cast. It's absolutely more great than what I was expecting. The actors of this movie are the ambitious and the fair-minded Chloe Levine, Dangelo Bonneli, Eric Ruffin and Jelly Bean. The actors may look a kind of rude. But still; since it's a 2016 movie, this ambitious cast is not very surprising. You want to know about The Transfiguration's lovely soundtracks? Alright then. Of course the music could be much more charismatic. I am not saying it's seriously pretty adventurous. But it is more legendary than many other middle-aged songs. Special effects are not very outstanding On the other hand i have never enjoyed special effects that are this amusing.


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Saturday, May 05, 2007
Camera play for Christmas 2006
Jess and I played around with the camera, making photos to send as Christmas postcards. This kooky one ended up going to our good friends Sarah and Leo.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Jelly bean in Millenium Park, Chicago
The reflective jelly bean in Millenium Park reflects skyscrapers flanking the west side of Michigan Ave in downtown Chicago. Jess and I were in Chicago in November, 2006, for RSNA, a huge radiology tradeshow.
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This site is occasionally used as the site for a live classroom. It may also be used as a blogging assignment or for your non-academic edification. If you are not in the Live Classroom, just disregard the classroom instructions.
We will explore important themes in Japanese Zen Buddhism through images from the arts. 'Zen' is the Japanese word for the Chinese 'Ch'an.' 'Ch'an' is the Chinese word for the Sanskrit, 'Dhyan.' 'Dhyan' is an Indian word which simply means 'meditation.' Buddhism arose in India and migrated to China, then Japan, and to other Asian countries. Many of the greatest Zen artworks and Buddhist temples are in the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto, which is a place of pilgrimage. Basho, the greatest master of Japanese poetry, wrote this Haiku:
Even in Kyoto,
Hearing the kuku's cry,
I long for Kyoto.
Using your imagination, take a slow 'mindfulness walk' around the famous sand garden in the Ryokin temple. Walk through the following pictures, scrolling down and breathing slow, full, but natural breaths. What feelings arise in you? What sensations arise in your body? How does the Zen Buddhist sand garden effect your mind and body?
Stop here for a short writing exercise...
Zen Sand Garden In American Culture
Miniature sand gardens are becoming very popular in America (picture #2). You can create a "still life" of rocks and sand on a table, in a meditation space, in your own house. What purpose do you think these miniature gardens serve?
Emptiness (Sunya)
Pictures #3 and #4 below show the Enso, the "Empty Circle." Why do you think the empty circle is a major subject of Buddhist art? What qualities do you see or feel in the brush stroke? How is the Enso like the sand garden?
Emptiness In Quantum Physics
In picture #5 below, an atom is depicted. In relative terms, the distance between the nucleus and the electrons is actually much greater than this picture depicts. The atoms that compose our bodies are mostly empty space. Empty space pervades the material world, and every sub-atomic particle is the excitation, or vibration, of an empty vacuum. Here's a statement from Steven Hawking, one of our foremost living physicists: ""In the case of the whole universe, one can show that the negative gravitational energy exactly cancels the positive energy of the matter. So the total energy of the universe is zero." Is the universe of modern quantum physics a giant Enso?
Plum Blossoms
In the painting below (picture #6) do you perceive any qualities of Buddhist philosophy?
Below is a famous masterpiece of Master Mu Ch'i: Persimmons (#7). What Buddhist qualities are conveyed by this painting? What do these persimmons symbolize? Or are they just persimmons?
Pesimmons when unripe are painfully hard and bitter, but when ripe, lusciously sweet and soft. But is there such a thing as being too ripe? Some have suggested that these persimmons represent Buddhist disciples at various degrees of enlightenment. Is one of them the Master? In what ways does this simple painting express Sunya, the Enso, the Middle Way, the play of emptiness and fullness?
In an online live classroom, a student named Ramona H. said of this painting: "Each creature, imperfect perfection!"
Stop here for a short writing exercise...
Anatta: No-Self
Note the rough spontaneous brush strokes in the landscape below (picture #8). This painting is almost abstract, like a 20th Century 'expressionist' painting, wild and free in style as the stormy scene it depicts. In fact, Zen art influenced modern European painters like Van Gogh and Matisse.
Buddhism de-emphasizes the human ego, teaching Anatta: no-self. This does not mean that humans have no being! It means that we have no separate being. We are inter-connected with all nature. Does the landscape in the painting above suggest any message about the human ego in relation to nature? Look carefully.
Karst mountain formations near Guilin, China. This scene in modern China gives some basis in the natural world for the quality of Buddhist and Taoist landscape art, don't you think?
Thich Nath Hanh: Video Link
Thich Nath Hanh speaks on breathing and mindfulness: the essential Buddhist meditation practice for centering in the miracle of the present moment. Your Discussion Board Forum in Buddhism contains a talk by Thich Naht Hanh, as well as further mindfulness meditation instructions. Click the 'video link' above.
Daibutsu (Giant Buddha)
Below is the Daibutsu of Kyoto (#9), the largest Buddhist statue in the world, 46 meters high, built in the 16th Century.
Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, is usually shown sitting in this posture: the lotus posture of mindfulness. Eyes gaze inward, closed or half-open. Weight centers at the base of the spine. Body is relaxed but alert. Mind is clear, calm and empty. Breath unites body and mind, and brings us to the present moment. You don't have to be 46 meters high to do this, for you too can be Buddha! Remember, Buddha simply means, awake.
From Hakuin's 'SONG OF ZAZEN'
Hakuin was the 17th century founder of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. He was also a great poet and artist of Sumi-e ink paintings, as in his humorous self portrait below, showing "the sound of one hand clapping."
"All sentient beings are essentially Buddhas.
There is no ice without water:
Apart from sentient beings,
there are no Buddhas.
there are no Buddhas.
Not knowing how close the truth is, we seek it:
What a pity!
We are like one who,
bathing in a fresh mountain stream,
cries out in thirst.
bathing in a fresh mountain stream,
cries out in thirst.
All moral duties come down to Zazen:
just being here.
just being here.
How vast and wide
the unobstructed sky of the heart!
the unobstructed sky of the heart!
How bright and clear
the perfect moonlight of wisdom!
the perfect moonlight of wisdom!
In this moment, what more need we seek?
Here, in the eternal tranquility of Truth,
this very place is the Land of Lotuses;
This very body is the body of the Buddha."


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The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry. In 2010, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, as well as Shriners North America, changed its name to Shriners International. The organization is best known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children it administers, and the red fezzes that members wear. There are approximately 340,000 members from 195 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Republic of Panama, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Europe and Australia.
During the early 1900's glass souvenir items were created for gifts for the delegates that attended annual conventions. This wonderful 3-handled loving cup is from the Syria Temple in Pittsburgh, PA and was a souvenir from it's June 1905 Niagara Falls convention. The glass cup measures 3 3/4" in height and 3 1/2" across the top. It shows the Shriner International logo and two cartouches, one of the falls and the other of the bridge. Three scimitars serve as the handles. There are no cracks, chips or repairs; minor decoration wear. Great combination of clear glass with gold, silver, white, blue, green, and yellow enameling. Scarce fraternal item
Shriners/Masonic Syria Temple "1905 Niagara Falls" Souvenir Loving Cup
$80 ea.Quantity available: 2
Another shopper is interested in this item
since 2003


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Thrive! Chiropractic & Wellness Blog
St. Petersburg Chiropractors May Help Scoliosis
St. Petersburg Chiropractors May Help Scoliosis Among common back conditions, scoliosis is one that has the potential to cause a great deal of discomfort and immobility. Between 5 million and 7 million people in the United States are affected by scoliosis. St. Petersburg chiropractors have the ability to provide relief to many scoliosis patients, making…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractor Talks about Bulging Discs
St. Petersburg Chiropractor Talks about Bulging Discs The concentric rings made from cartilage and other materials that are located between your vertebrae are known as discs. These discs provide a cushion between the vertebrae, preventing them from grinding against one another while your spine is moving. St. Petersburg chiropractors have very good results when treating…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractic Office Helps Whiplash
St. Petersburg Chiropractic Office Helps Whiplash One of the most common injuries that people suffer from after an auto accident in St. Petersburg is whiplash. When a chiropractor books an appointment to see a patient after a car accident, it is often to treat the pain that results from a whiplash injury. What Is Whiplash?…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractors Help Range of Motion
St. Petersburg Chiropractors Help Range of Motion A body in motion is a beautiful thing, but through poor lifestyle choices, injuries, and general aging our range of motion can diminish to the point that we can barely bend over to pick something up off the floor. Everyone seems to take their flexibility and ease of…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractic Clinics Help Joint Inflammation
St. Petersburg Chiropractic Clinics Help Joint Inflammation The human body has several different types of joints, including ball and socket joints, gliding joints, hinge joints, and saddle joints. Considering the complex mechanisms that go into to making it all work together, it's little wonder that joint pain is a big issue in society. St. Petersburg…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractors May Relieve Migraines
St. Petersburg Chiropractors May Relieve Migraines When a severe migraine headache takes hold, it's almost as if the rest of the world ceases to exist. The intensity of the pain makes many people lie in a darkened room and do little else. Working or looking after children is out of the question. It's not even…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractor Describes Stretching
St. Petersburg Chiropractic Describes Stretching Keeping your muscles, tendons, and ligaments flexible through regular stretching is an important, but an often-ignored piece of the overall health puzzle. Many people find stretching to be time consuming and boring, but it helps prevent scores of different injuries and has an anti-aging effect on the body. We see…Read More
St. Petersburg Chiropractor Talks about Wellness Care
St. Petersburg Chiropractor Talks about Wellness Care Being healthy from a physical perspective and being healthy from a wellness perspective are two separate things. Many world-class athletes look healthy and perform well in their chosen field, but they would fail an overall wellness test that incorporates all the different elements of wellness. Keep reading to…Read More
Sciatic Leg Pain in St. Petersburg FL
Sciatic Leg Pain in St. Petersburg FL A number of patients in St. Petersburg struggle with sciatica. Learn the facts about sciatica and it may help you understand your pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body, emerging from the spine in the lower back. It also runs through…Read More
St. Petersburg Athletes Improve with Chiropractic Care
St. Petersburg Athletes Improve with Chiropractic Care Athletes are always looking for an edge to take their performances to another level. No matter what sport you play, the competition is always getting bigger, faster and stronger which means you have to continually improve in order to keep up. Some athletes turn to dishonest methods like…Read More


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September 22nd, 2012, 09:39 PM
I'm getting ready to buy my first rotary cutter.....so which is better? Olfa or Fiskars? When do you use 45mm or 60mm? They all work on fleece, right? Hoping to buy 1 or the other to start, then may add a 2nd. I want something easier on my hands & wrists. All opinions will be valuable. Newbie here,


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"Rustic" is thrown out there to describe everything from farmhouse decor to a Tuscan-style estate, so what does it actually mean? Do you need to live in a legit log cabin to be considered rustic, or can one word apply so liberally to so many different design styles? It's definitely the latter, but there are several components you need to have for something to accurately be rustic. Here's what's up.
One of the defining characteristics of a rustic home, whether it's cottage or coastal, is the use of natural materials. That means lots of wood and stone (both in furniture and on ceilings/walls), and fabrics like burlap and canvas. "Rustic design, at its core, is the use of organic elements in their most natural state," says interior designer Katie Hodges. Design is simple, natural, and has an earthy feel about it. Raw materials are also common, so rather than finding a sleek, glossy burl wood, you'll find more reclaimed and unfinished woods and stones.
Modern Is Totally Out.
Like, totally totally out. You won't find modern furnishings or flashy, geometric lighting (obvi), but you'll also find a lack of modern materials, like metal, plastic, or synthetic fibers. Again—natural is key.
Contemporary rustic, however, is having a moment right now, where earthy elements of the rustic style are combined with a clean-lined modern design for a fresh, light, and grounded aesthetic. Rustic decor in and of itself tends to be heavier, darker, and less sparse, so the amalgamation of the two styles produces something light and open, but still very natural. Think the Cullen's house in Twilight and you're there. "Side tables, accent chairs, and logs are my go-to's for a dash of rustic without going full on in that design direction," Hodges says.
Rustic Furniture Is Handmade.
In keeping with the natural theme, rustic furniture is handmade. It's generally simple in design and shape, letting the materials stand out instead. Furniture is usually oversized (minimalism is not the word, here), and is designed to feel cozy, easy, and comfortable. Heavy wood furniture, made from raw logs, boards, and stone is common.
The Color Palette Is, Predictably, Natural.
But are you really surprised? The color palette swings heavily towards neutral, but there is room for bold, so long as it keeps to earthy tones. Greens, browns, and grays are common, and it favors warmth, so it doesn't feel too cold and stark.


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New Delhi | Feb 17: Renowned technocrat Baikuntha Nath Talukdar was today appointed Technical Member in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) for a tenure of three years.
Talukdar took over as head of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) on February 6, 2014. He was in January last year given six months extension in the post.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Talukdar to the post of Technical Member in APTEL for a period of three years or till he attains the age of 65, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.
The APTEL, which is under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is mandated to hear appeals or original petitions against the orders of the Adjudicating Officer or the Central Regulatory Commission or State Regulatory Commission.61-year-old Talukdar, a petroleum engineering graduate from the prestigious Indian School of Mines Dhanbad, was the first technocrat in two years to head the DGH, a highly technical advisory arm of the Oil Ministry.