December 2024
New Year's Eve Morning
31/12/24 07:40 Filed in: Photography | Berlin
It is just before 7:30 a.m. on 2024's New Year's Eve Morning. It is a frosty morning at 30 degrees F. The roof and trees look tinged with frost. Stepping out on the deck, it is quiet and calm in the countryside with a hint of the beginning dawn above the mountains which shortly grows to a glorious red glow, even through the trees. So peaceful, hard to believe we may hear firecrackers or shots as midnight comes later at night. At least, no rain for now though fog is likely present in the valley.
Frosty early sunrise
Followed by color
Frosty early sunrise
Followed by color
Comments
Dinner on Christmas Eve
25/12/24 09:29 Filed in: Family
Here we are together with Scott's family out at 1847 Bar and Grill for Christmas Eve dinner. The restaurant offered a large prime rib which was very tasty with mashed potatoes and broccolini. The girls ate well. We had cards and gifts ready for 3 of our favorite servers though one was not working tonight (Kaylee). It was the best thing of the night to give them a thank you gift.
Christmas Eve Traditions
We will open presents usually as a family on Christmas Eve. This has been the tradition for my family and Bob's too from our early childhood. We have added going out to dinner on Christmas Eve as a tradition when the boys were young and have tried to carry it forward. Harder to do when we first moved back to Oregon though more restaurants are open on the Eve.
Here is an article and information about how the Swedes have a tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve…
"Disney devotees may be familiar with the 1958 Donald Duck Christmas special From All of Us to All of You, but they probably haven’t seen it as many times as the average Swede. The special first aired in Sweden at 3 p.m. on December 24, 1959, and celebrating Christmas Eve with the temperamental waterfowl quickly became one of the country’s signature holiday traditions. Known in Sweden as Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (which translates to Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas), the special airs on SVT1, the main public television channel, and is presented by a host playing Walt Disney. It’s also slightly different each year, as a contractual obligation requires SVT1 to include a snippet from the Mouse House’s latest film.
If you’re wondering how Kalle Anka became so popular in the first place, it’s partially explained by the fact that Sweden had only two TV channels at the time, and Christmas was the only time Swedes could get a dose of Disney. Traditions have a way of sticking, and Kalle Anka is frequently the most-watched program of the year — 40% of the country tunes in during an average year, and in 1997 more than half the population did."
Here is an article and information about how the Swedes have a tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve…
"Disney devotees may be familiar with the 1958 Donald Duck Christmas special From All of Us to All of You, but they probably haven’t seen it as many times as the average Swede. The special first aired in Sweden at 3 p.m. on December 24, 1959, and celebrating Christmas Eve with the temperamental waterfowl quickly became one of the country’s signature holiday traditions. Known in Sweden as Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (which translates to Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas), the special airs on SVT1, the main public television channel, and is presented by a host playing Walt Disney. It’s also slightly different each year, as a contractual obligation requires SVT1 to include a snippet from the Mouse House’s latest film.
If you’re wondering how Kalle Anka became so popular in the first place, it’s partially explained by the fact that Sweden had only two TV channels at the time, and Christmas was the only time Swedes could get a dose of Disney. Traditions have a way of sticking, and Kalle Anka is frequently the most-watched program of the year — 40% of the country tunes in during an average year, and in 1997 more than half the population did."
Where Some Words Came From
I have long been a fan of Charles Dickens as an author. I have many of his books.
A recent article covers where some of our words in the English or American vocabulary came from.
One condition that I can find myself feeling is boredom, especially at this winter time of the year and there is less sunshine. The background on Charles Dickens bringing this word to more common usage was in his novel, Bleak House.
"According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first written record of the word "boredom" appears in Charles Dickens' 1852 novel Bleak House.
However, some historians have found antecedents that predate Dickens use of the term. Lord Byron used "bores" and "bored" in his 1823 epic poem Don Juan. And a few years later, Herman Melville used other variations of the term, like "bore" and "bored to death". While we can’t be sure who wrote the word first, its literary origin is undeniable."
A recent article covers where some of our words in the English or American vocabulary came from.
One condition that I can find myself feeling is boredom, especially at this winter time of the year and there is less sunshine. The background on Charles Dickens bringing this word to more common usage was in his novel, Bleak House.
"According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first written record of the word "boredom" appears in Charles Dickens' 1852 novel Bleak House.
However, some historians have found antecedents that predate Dickens use of the term. Lord Byron used "bores" and "bored" in his 1823 epic poem Don Juan. And a few years later, Herman Melville used other variations of the term, like "bore" and "bored to death". While we can’t be sure who wrote the word first, its literary origin is undeniable."
Cold Moon December 2024
15/12/24 08:35 Filed in: Current Affairs
Earlier this morning, the last full moon of the 2024 year showed itself. Two mornings in a row to see the moon and sky about 4 a.m. A big change from the inversion layer we had in recent weeks. It is nice to see some sky.
I was able to get a picture out the window of the "Cold Moon" of December. Very eerie what with the the dark bare tree limbs that are outlined by the lighted sky. A setting for a horror movie.
I was able to get a picture out the window of the "Cold Moon" of December. Very eerie what with the the dark bare tree limbs that are outlined by the lighted sky. A setting for a horror movie.
Days of Showing Cattle
12/12/24 15:47 Filed in: Personal
In my last two years of high school, I was quite active in FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H.
Angus cattle for FFA and Hampshire sheep in 4-H. In both cases, at the Linn County Fair and the n State Fair. In sorting through pictures, I came across a photo of me showing my Angus heifer, Beauty. I am so in the mode and focused on the judge and her. Look at that technique!
Angus cattle for FFA and Hampshire sheep in 4-H. In both cases, at the Linn County Fair and the n State Fair. In sorting through pictures, I came across a photo of me showing my Angus heifer, Beauty. I am so in the mode and focused on the judge and her. Look at that technique!
Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens
09/12/24 09:37 Filed in: Current Affairs | History
The almost 800 year old Notre Dame Cathedral had a devastatingly damaging fire about 5 1/2 years ago. After much debate, the cathedral was rebuilt in the same architectural style as it had been previously plus fire control measures. The result is beautiful and striking. The reopening was held 2 days ago in Paris and many world leaders were present. The following is a Getty Image of the rebuilt cathedral.
Holiday Faerie Princesses
04/12/24 09:49 Filed in: Family
Two young girls went looking for the way to be a Faerie Princess and came away with the ultimate Faerie "look". Two cannot be more beautiful in the eyes of the faerie world.
Vada and Victoria
Faerie Vada
Faerie Victoria
Vada and Victoria
Faerie Vada
Faerie Victoria
Advent Calendar in Paris
Each holiday year, we get a Jacquie Lawson Holiday Advent Calendar to do an event or enjoy music and colorful drawn video. This year we meet in a parlor in Paris. The girls and I have decorated the Christmas tree. We need to change the parlor look at some point. They enjoy seeing what each day brings to us. I get their input which engages them considerably. School has interrupted the start so we will need to manage how to handle each day. An example of our decorated tree is included here.
