What better way to say farewell to 2009 and welcome in 2010?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
CAMP BATHING
We were backpacking on a college break, back in Colorado. It'd been a few days of hard hiking in the back country, and we were beginning to get ripe. Sweat on dried sweat, and oily hair. When the girls found a waterfall, it became their shower. It was hardly more than a trickle. The water was freezing, having been snow a day or so before, but it felt wonderful. Layer and layer of dirt and grim washed away, leaving us renewed in our own private wilderness.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
XMAS LIGHTS
The American custom of using electric lights began in 1882 when an associate of Thomas Edison, Edward Johnson, hand-wired 80 red, white and blue bulbs and wound them around a rotating evergreen tree.
In 1895, President Grover Cleveland set up a lighted Christmas tree in the White House and the general public began to notice.
Edison's company, General Electric, began offering hand-blown bulbs that could be wired together like beads on a string. Homeowners had to hire a "wireman" to stab the mess together, and rent a generator to power it. At the turn of the century, the larger department stores started to set up illuminated trees to attract customers. Members of high society began hosting Christmas Tree parties. In 1903, The American Eveready Co. came out with a light set more like we know today that included screw-in bulbs and a plug for the wall socket. And the rest, as they say, is history
The American custom of using electric lights began in 1882 when an associate of Thomas Edison, Edward Johnson, hand-wired 80 red, white and blue bulbs and wound them around a rotating evergreen tree.
In 1895, President Grover Cleveland set up a lighted Christmas tree in the White House and the general public began to notice.
Edison's company, General Electric, began offering hand-blown bulbs that could be wired together like beads on a string. Homeowners had to hire a "wireman" to stab the mess together, and rent a generator to power it. At the turn of the century, the larger department stores started to set up illuminated trees to attract customers. Members of high society began hosting Christmas Tree parties. In 1903, The American Eveready Co. came out with a light set more like we know today that included screw-in bulbs and a plug for the wall socket. And the rest, as they say, is history
Monday, December 21, 2009
TRIMMING THE TREE
Like most folk traditions, the origins of the annual ritual of trimming the Christmas tree are vague, and draw from many old stories. Most agree that the cutting of a fir tree and decorating it as a holiday tradition was pretty well established in Northern Europe by the 17th Century.
Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610. At that time real silver was used, and machines were invented which pulled the silver out into the wafer thin strips for tinsel. Some families (including, they say, Mrtin Luther) attached small candles to the ends of tree branches with wax or pins.
Families would make their own decorations from wood, wicker, or other crafty supplies. The Brits are credited with starting the trend of glass bobbles.
Queen Victoria of Britain used a Christmas Tree as part of the Royal Family's celebration of the holiday in honor of her German-born husband, Prince Albert in 1840. I wonder if the Victorians had as much fun as we do today? History has a way of remembering the Victorians as dull and prudish...but who knows... maybe they had just as much zest in trimming their trees.
Like most folk traditions, the origins of the annual ritual of trimming the Christmas tree are vague, and draw from many old stories. Most agree that the cutting of a fir tree and decorating it as a holiday tradition was pretty well established in Northern Europe by the 17th Century.
Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610. At that time real silver was used, and machines were invented which pulled the silver out into the wafer thin strips for tinsel. Some families (including, they say, Mrtin Luther) attached small candles to the ends of tree branches with wax or pins.
Families would make their own decorations from wood, wicker, or other crafty supplies. The Brits are credited with starting the trend of glass bobbles.
Queen Victoria of Britain used a Christmas Tree as part of the Royal Family's celebration of the holiday in honor of her German-born husband, Prince Albert in 1840. I wonder if the Victorians had as much fun as we do today? History has a way of remembering the Victorians as dull and prudish...but who knows... maybe they had just as much zest in trimming their trees.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
BACK TO THE LAND
Following the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the 1973 energy crisis, some young Americans rejected the urban life, and sought out a simpler existence, closer to nature, and the fruits of their own toil. From the early '70s to the early '80s became known as the "Back to the Land" movement. Many young couples tried their hand at homesteading, some made it, and most eventually returned. Some 30 years later, their once radical ideals have a renewed relevance. Although less youth are moving "off the grid" as the previous generation, more and more are adopting the ethics and aesthetics, planting organic gardens in back yards, and some even keeping a few chickens. This new generation commutes by bike and aggressively recycles. Here's a tribute to those earlier Back-to-Landers and here's to those who find inspiration in their success, lessons in their failings, and optimism in the effort.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
HUMAN SEXUALITY, 101
In the late '60s and '70s, there wasn't as much sex education in schools. There were a few books on the subject that had been published, but most were fairly dry and clinical. Without internet, the only porn was the fairly modest men's magazines. (Keep in mind, Playboy only began to show pubic hair in the late '60s.) Learning about sex, real sex, was left to friends. Lynda, an entrepreneurial college student, realized the niche she could fill by inviting fellow students (and some professors) over to her house for open discussion and demonstrations of human sexuality.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
HAPPY CAMPERS
When you're camping in a remote area, there's an assumption of privacy. Sometimes, when you're fast into the moment of making love, taken by the action at hand, you don't notice the soft sound of hikers on the trail, slowly passing by, pausing for a moment to eavesdrop and snap a photo.
When you're camping in a remote area, there's an assumption of privacy. Sometimes, when you're fast into the moment of making love, taken by the action at hand, you don't notice the soft sound of hikers on the trail, slowly passing by, pausing for a moment to eavesdrop and snap a photo.
Friday, December 11, 2009
BEACH MOVIE AND CREW
I'm not sure what the story is here, but it's interesting--no doubt. A film camera (looks like an old 16mm), and a shooter, maybe the director, and her cast (or are they the crew?)
What is really inspiring is that they got together on a nice sunny day, grabbed a camera, and decided to have fun. No doubt it was fun. Here's to the creative acts, and to making art with good friends. I hope we can all be so lucky at some point in our lives. If you've ever wanted to have an adventure and really live life, you should. Call up some friends, grab a camera. Go make a movie. Naked.
I'm not sure what the story is here, but it's interesting--no doubt. A film camera (looks like an old 16mm), and a shooter, maybe the director, and her cast (or are they the crew?)
What is really inspiring is that they got together on a nice sunny day, grabbed a camera, and decided to have fun. No doubt it was fun. Here's to the creative acts, and to making art with good friends. I hope we can all be so lucky at some point in our lives. If you've ever wanted to have an adventure and really live life, you should. Call up some friends, grab a camera. Go make a movie. Naked.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
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