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Faraway Places
Cats, Faraway Places, Nature
Friday Catblogging: Resting in Botswana
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Daily Bread, Faraway Places, Film, Toys
Daily Bread for 7.21.24: The Godzilla-Making Toy Factory in Japan
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Sunday in Whitewater will be partly cloudy with afternoon showers and a high of 80. Sunrise is 5:36, and sunset is 8:25, for 14h 49m 09s of daytime. The moon is full, with all of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1832, Wisconsin sees the Battle of Wisconsin Heights:
Soldiers led by Colonel Henry Dodge caught up with Black Hawk near the Wisconsin River, outside present-day Sauk City. Black Hawk commanded only a small group of warriors from atop a hill, while Dodge pursued with a much stronger force of militia. Although greatly outnumbered, Sauk warriors turned the attack on American troops, allowing the Indian women and children to flee across the Wisconsin River. Black Hawk and his men were forced to retreat to the river, but night was falling so Dodge decided to continue the battle in the morning. But when the American troops went after the Sauk Indians the next day, the Sauk had crossed the river and disappeared. One American was killed and eight wounded while at least 50 Indians were killed and another 80 wounded.
On this day in 1969, after a successful landing on July 20th, astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
The Godzilla-Making Toy Factory in Japan:
Bringing Godzilla collectibles and Kaiju figures to life. This story delves into the rich history of one of the oldest sofubi manufacturers, and showcases the skilled artisans and passionate collectors behind these cherished collectibles. Learn about the creation process, the cultural significance, and the enduring appeal of these soft vinyl masterpieces that captivate fans worldwide.
Japanese cats have a meal by the water:
Birds, Daily Bread, Faraway Places
Daily Bread for 7.13.24: Sydney’s Feathered Celebrities
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 87. Sunrise is 5:29 and sunset 8:31 for 15h 02m 25s of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 46.1 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1787, the Congress of the Confederation enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing governing rules for the Northwest Territory. It also establishes procedures for the admission of new states and limits the expansion of slavery.
Sydney’s Feathered Celebrities:
But the candidates for Australia’s “naughtiest bird” haven’t always lived in the city. So, what brought them here? And how are Sydney’s residents using smartphones to track them? We learn all about the Wingtag and Big City Birds projects.
Fireball seen across Wisconsin skies on Thursday night:
Daily Bread, Faraway Places, Weird Tales
Daily Bread for 7.6.24: The town with the LONGEST name in Europe
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 78. Sunrise is 5:24 and sunset 8:35 for 15h 11m 19s of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 0.4 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1885, Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.
Whitewater’s Independence Holiday celebration continues today at the Cravath Lakefront:
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Special: 12 to 4 PM, $25 each
Civic Food Vendors: 11 AM to 11 PM
4th of July Car Show 2 PM to 6 PM, 301 W Whitewater Street
Live Music at Frawley Ampitheater:
Jerry Armstrong & Blast to the Past 3 PM to 5 PM
Cead Mile Failte (Irish Music) 5 to 7 PM
Phil (a tribute to Phil Collins, Genesis, and Peter Gabriel) 8 PM to after Fireworks
Fireworks 10 PM
The town with the LONGEST name in Europe:
Shark bites two swimmers near Texas beach:
Cats, Faraway Places
Friday Catblogging: Keeping New York City Clean
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Cats, Faraway Places
Friday Catblogging: The View from Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Art, Daily Bread, Faraway Places
Daily Bread for 5.4.24: The 2,000-Year-Old City of Mosaics
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 77. Sunrise is 5:42 and sunset 8:00 for 14h 17m 08s of daytime. The moon is a waning crescent with 17.5 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1776, Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
The 2,000-Year-Old City of Mosaics:
Dating back to the Byzantine era, Ravenna in Italy has been filled with a rich tapestry of mosaic craftsmanship, from the walls to the floors and the ceilings of its architectural marvels. From grand basilicas to intimate residences, Ravenna’s mosaic artistry portrays ancient civilizations through every shimmering tile and preserves the legacy of a city steeped in history and artistic brilliance. Experience these timeless artworks as Professor Daniele Torcellini offers insights into their historical context and artist Luca Barberini shows how mosaics can engage with contemporary issues.
Happy May the Fourth, Star Wars Fans:
Faraway Places
Daily Bread for 3.30.24: The Art of Making China’s Most Luxurious Fabric
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be cloudy with a high of 50. Sunrise is 6:37 and sunset 7:30 for 12h 42m 19s of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous with 75.8 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1867, Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents/acre, by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward.
The Surprising Art of Making China’s Most Luxurious Fabric:
Xiangyunsha is a silk that’s not only incredibly soft but also eco-friendly and antibacterial. It’s giving modern synthetics a run for their money.
This is the intricate process behind this legendary fabric. From soaking and drying, to the unique rusty hue achieved through a special reaction involving a specific river mud in China and local yams—each step adds to the charm of what has become known as “soft gold.”
We meet Liang Zhu, a local artisan with a wealth of knowledge about the rich history and cultural significance of Xiangyunsha. But these techniques aren’t just passed down—they’re carefully taught and honed through generations of skilled artisans. We’re unravelling the secrets and wonders of Xiangyunsha, an ancient silk dying technique that has been solidified as part of China’s cultural heritage.
Through the Lens: Acorn Woodpeckers:
The Acorn Woodpecker is a favorite among bird watchers. It has a clown-like appearance and the unique habit of storing acorns in a favored tree that is often used by generations of birds. Wildlife Photographer Marie Read shares her experience photographing the behaviors of these lively birds.
Learn more about Acorn Woodpeckers on All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/acorn_woodpecker/id
We don’t have this species here, but birders can find them on visits west. Acorn woodpeckers range on the West Coast, from as far north as Oregon along the Pacific into South America.
Daily Bread, Drink, Faraway Places
Daily Bread for 3.23.24: Tiny Windows Serving Wine
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 34. Sunrise is 6:49 and sunset 7:11 for 12h 21m 58s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 97.4 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1909, Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society.
A glass of wine…served out of a window 🍷
In Florence, Italy there are tiny little windows built into the side of most noble palaces. And from these tiny windows, wine is served.
Affectionately known as “buchette del vino”, Florence’s wine windows date back to the 16th Century, and were a means for noble families to sell their wine directly to the public. Their usefulness, however, really became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic, and doubled as a unique solution to minimizing contact and halting the spread of illness.
We explore the history and preservation of these wine windows, and how they are still used today. Watch as @JacobHarrell guides you through this story.
‘The Empire (State Building) strikes back with a ‘Star Wars’ light show:
Daily Bread, Faraway Places, Weird Tales
Daily Bread for 3.2.24: A Scottish Village In Italy
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 60. Sunrise is 6:26 and sunset 5:47 for 11h 20m 46s of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous with 61 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1983, compact discs and players are released for the first time in the United States and other markets. They had previously been available only in Japan.
Why Is There a Scottish Village In Italy?:
What’s in the Night Sky (March 2024):
Adventure, Daily Bread, Faraway Places
Daily Bread for 2.18.24: CHASING LIGHTS IN THE HIMALAYAS
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Sunday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 40. Sunrise is 6:46 and sunset 5:30 for 10h 43m 54s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 69.7% of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1930, Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft:
Elm Farm Ollie (known as “Nellie Jay” and post-flight as “Sky Queen”) was the first cow to fly in an airplane, doing so on 18 February 1930, as part of the International Air Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. On the same trip, which covered 72 miles in a Ford Trimotor airplane from Bismarck, Missouri, to St. Louis, she also became the first cow milked in flight. This was done ostensibly to allow scientists to observe midair effects on animals, as well as for publicity purposes. A St. Louis newspaper trumpeted her mission as being “to blaze a trail for the transportation of livestock by air.”
Elm Farm Ollie was reported to have been an unusually productive Guernsey cow, requiring three milkings a day and producing 24 quarts of milk during the flight itself. Wisconsin native Elsworth W. Bunce milked her, becoming the first man to milk a cow mid-flight. Elm Farm Ollie’s milk was sealed into paper cartons which were parachuted to spectators below. Charles Lindbergh reportedly received a glass of the milk.
Although Elm Farm Ollie was born and raised in Bismarck, Missouri, it is largely in the dairy state of Wisconsin where her fame has lived on.
Painting of Elm Farm Ollie by E.D. Thalinger in 1930 Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7506008
CHASING LIGHTS IN THE HIMALAYAS:
As we were in Nepal filming « Everest Green » documentary, about pollution in Kathmandu and the Himalayan mountains, we decided to make this short film, « CHASING LIGHTS IN THE HIMALAYAS », showing the incredible beauty of this country.
If you want more information about « Everest Green » : block8production.com/everest-green-en
Hungry moose goes grocery shopping in woman’s cart outside of store:
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Daily Bread, Faraway Places, Food
Daily Bread for 1.20.24: Berlin’s Flying Ramen
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Good morning.
Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 16. Sunrise is 7:19 and sunset 4:52 for 9h 33m 21s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 75% of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1929, the first full-length talking motion picture filmed outdoors, In Old Arizona, is released.
In the bustling city of Berlin, an extraordinary ramen phenomenon has taken flight thanks to a man named Christopher. From the confines of his apartment, Christopher crafts and delivers fresh ramen kits in a most unconventional manner. Using a vibrant red bucket suspended from his window, he lowers these delectable packages to eager customers waiting below. What started as a creative solution for social distancing during lockdown has evolved into a cherished ritual in the culinary landscape. Christopher’s flying ramen delivery system has become an iconic symbol of his business, capturing the imagination of locals and international patrons alike. As customers eagerly await their airborne ramen, the act of receiving this unique delivery has transformed into a communal experience, making Christopher’s flying ramen a beloved and distinctive culinary adventure in the heart of Berlin.
Endangered baby hippo makes debut at Czech zoo:
Mikolas, a baby pygmy hippo born at the Dvur Kralove nad Labem zoo in the Czech Republic last month, made his public debut on Jan. 15.